[title of show]
With only four chairs, a keyboardist and a sensational cast of four, this sassy musical proves that sometimes less is more. This self-referential story follows the trials, tribulations and sheer tenacity of two down on their luck NYC artists struggling to make a name for themselves on the big White Way, or at least see their names glowing from an Off-Broadway marquee.
And hence, a musical was born.
Not just any musical, but one that impossibly rose past its glossier competitors in the New York Musical Theatre Festival with only its bracketed title taken from the festival’s entry form. From there it enjoyed a popular Off-Broadway run (garnering an OBIE) and a Tony nomination for Best Book in 2009. Not bad for a couple of guys with a dream that became a reality after only three weeks of looking to themselves for material when they weren’t watching internet porn or Pay-Per-View.
Nothing is off limits in this life imitating art imitating life production that capitalizes on the reality brand of entertainment responsible for turning ordinary folks into overnight stars. Unlike the Jersey clan or the Gosselin brood, this show only has four members in its cast to pull off such an unlikely feat...and what is more surprising is that they do.
It’s the stuff musicals based on movies is made of.
“Movies make good musicals?”
“Well, they make musicals.”
The scenes interspersed with recorded voice mails are chockfull of jabs and witty asides about the process, the vehicle itself and when all else fails the zingers are let loose on each other. There’s nothing particularly fascinating about idealist writer Hunter Bell or his more practical cohort composer, Jeff Bowen. Let alone the pair of actresses, Susan and Heidi, they wrangle into their crunch-time creation. But the chemistry between these four distinctive personalities invariably works as they taunt and tease each other through the casual rehearsals in Hunter’s Hell’s Kitchen apartment. It almost makes all those Disney on Broadway machinations seem positively grueling by comparison.
But nothing can kill the creative spirit like success. Just ask Hunter or Jeff.
The first half of the musical is far more entertaining with its zany, upbeat energy than its rather insightful, but whimpering end. It’s the nature of the beast, literally, as Hunter frantically whores the show on YouTube with misleading announcements to generate a buzz. Jeff posits a more realistic attitude, content with their fifteen minutes of fame. The two suffer creative differences of opinion, while the women bond and go about their lives. Meanwhile, it appears [title of show] has gone dark. By the play’s end, they all agree, “It is better to be nine people’s favorite thing than a hundred people’s ninth favorite thing.” Not an easy refrain to set to music, but it does clinch the finale with less cynicism than one would expect.
Music and lyrics are frivolous but loaded with plenty of pop cultural turns of wit and stabs at the creative process such as the daunting task of the blank page in “An Original Musical,” and the exorcising of the inner critic in, “Die Vampire, Die!”
The cast are as believable as one would imagine the original members. Jeffrey Landman, ironically as Jeff has an excellent vocal range, while Micah McCain as Hunter more than makes up for his singing with his wickedly droll mannerisms and comedic timing. Jennifer R. Blake is hysterical as the bitter Susan paired up nicely to Carey Peters enthusiastic Heidi. Gregory Nabours as the union-gagged accompanist Larry milks some additional humor.
With its no-frills set, [title of show] plays very well in the intimate space at Celebration Theatre. Michael A. Shepperd’s vigorous pace keeps the high-spirited energy from lagging. Lighting design by Matthew Brian Denman fills the space with perfect timing and the occasional nuance.
This inspiring and hilarious romp is for those who adore musical theatre or have ever practiced their Tony award acceptance speech in the mirror. [title of show] is reflective, reactive and a really good example of truth sometimes being stranger and in this case better than fiction.
Who needs Equity when you have friends with a cockeyed vision?
[title of show]
Runs through Sept 5
Thurs, Fri and Sat at 8pm
Sunday at 3pm
Celebration Theatre
7051B Santa Monica Blvd.
Hollywood
PH: 323-957-1884
www.celebrationtheatre.com