‘Ruthless! The Musical’ is hilarious spoof

TALENT’S ALL IN THE FAMILY: Kim Maresca & Sophia Anne Caruso in ‘Ruthless! The Musical.’ Photo: Jessica Fallon Gordon Photography.

RUTHLESS! THE MUSICAL
Book and lyrics by Joel Paley
Music by Marvin Laird
Directed by Joel Paley
Produced by Maxine Paul and Dragotta/Schurr
October 23, 2014 to November 29, 2014
Stage 72/The Triad
158 West 72nd Street, (212-362-2590)

http://ruthlessthemusicalattriad.brownpapertickets.com/

By Scott Harrah

Good parodies of show business are rare, but one cannot find a better one than Joel Paley and Marvin Laird’s 1992 Off Broadway cult classic Ruthless! The Musical, now enjoying a brief cabaret-style revival at Stage 72/The Triad (a benefit for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS).

The show played in various venues nationwide, but has attracted press attention over the years because of the famous names that performed in the original. Back in 1992, a then unknown Laura Bell Bundy played the lead role of 8-year-old Tina Denmark (with young Britney Spears and Natalie Portman as understudies). Fast forward 22 years later to this current revival, with 12-year-old Sophia Anne Caruso as Tina. Remember the name because Miss Caruso, with her wholesome looks, lush singing voice and over-the-top acting style, may one day be as famous as any of the aforementioned boldface names.

Ruthless! The Musical makes winking, hysterical nods to every campy movie and musical ever made and more. Loosely based on such films as The Bad Seed and All About Eve, and the musicals Gypsy and Mame, the story centers on Tina Denmark and her perfect, Stepford Wife-like mother Judy (Kim Maresca). When Tina yearns to try out for the lead in the upcoming school play Pippi in Tahiti, the conniving talent agent Sylvia St. Croix (the marvelous Marvin Laird, in full Bob Mackie drag, who also doubles as pianist) mysteriously arrives, insisting on representing the overzealous kid.

Tina will do anything to play Pippi Longstocking and wear the character’s demented red pigtail wig, but she is devastated when spoiled brat Louise Lerman (Delaney Arizala) is cast instead, and poor Tina must play Pippi’s dog. Sylvia convinces the play’s director, third-grade teacher Miss Thorn (Katie Sparer), to let Tina be Louise’s understudy. One can imagine what happens next as Tina, modeled after Rhoda Penmark in The Bad Seed, plans to be the one and only star of the show. Yes, the plot is predictable, but that is all part of the fun. There are too many great one-liners to mention (and doing so would be a spoiler anyway).

The brassy Rita McKenzie, as Judy’s mother Lita Encore, a bitchy theater critic, is one of the show’s highlights, particularly when she hams it up in the rousing number “I Hate Musicals,” channeling Ethel Merman. There are also some fine dual performances from Ms. Arizala as Louise Lerman/Eve and Ms. Sparer as Miss Thorn/Emily Block.

Look also for an amusing cameo by Lynn Cohen (Magda on TV’s “Sex and the City”) as a Judge Judy character in a taped segment projected on the stage.

Book and lyric writer Joel Paley jabs the satirical needle into every show-biz reference imaginable, making Ruthless! The Musical a must-see. (Note: Mr. Paley will be playing the role of Tina in upcoming performances.)

The show has announced a new extension, so get your tickets while you still can to this self-proclaimed “Stage Mother of All Musicals.”

Editor’s Note: Ruthless! The Musical returns October 23, 2014 to November 29, 2014. Check website at http://ruthlessthemusicalattriad.brownpapertickets.com/ for tickets and show times.

‘RUTHLESS RIVALS’: Delaney Arizala & Sophia Anne Caruso. Photo: Jessica Fallon Gordon Photography

SYLVIA ST. CROIX: Marvin Laird in ‘Ruthless! The Musical.’ Photo: Jessica Fallon Gordon Photography

‘RUTHLESS!’ PEOPLE: Cast with Sophia Anne Caruso (center) & (left) book & lyric writer Joel Paley. Photo: Jessica Fallon Gordon Photography

Edited by Scott Harrah
Published September 10, 2014
Reviewed at press performance September 8, 2014