‘It Shoulda Been You’: Star-studded but trite

BRIDE & GROOM: Sierra Boggess & David Burtka. Photo: Joan Marcus

IT SHOULDA BEEN YOU
Book & lyrics by Brian Hargrove
Music & concept by Barbara Anselmi
Directed by David Hyde Pierce
Brooks Atkinson Theatre
256 West 47th Street
(800) 653-8000
http://www.ItShouldaBeenYou.com

By Scott Harrah

We’ve seen all this before: Families of different faiths and backgrounds, coming together to witness their children getting married, and the humor of watching a day that’s supposed to be “perfect” go horribly wrong. However, in this slick, star-studded vanity project masquerading as a musical, there’s a plot twist that supposedly makes this show different from the rest. On paper, this show probably sounded great. It’s written by Brian Hargrove and directed by his partner David Hyde Pierce, and features his former “Frasier” co-stars Harriet Harris and Edward Hibbert, as well as Tyne Daly, Sierra Boggess, Lisa Howard, and others.

In reality, what we have here is your typical comedy with every stereotype imaginable. There’s the nagging Jewish mother, Judy Steinberg (Ms. Daly), overseeing the wedding of her daughter, Rebecca (Ms. Boggess), to squeaky clean Brian Howard (David Burtka). There are all the Jewish relatives, the type you’ll find on any rerun of TV’s “The Nanny,” from Uncle Morty (Adam Heller) to Aunt Sheila (Anne L. Nathan, doing what appears to be a Renee Taylor impersonation). Of course, Brian’s wealthy family members are your typical WASPs. There’s the dad Greg (Michael X. Martin), who has resorted to therapy in order to get in touch with his feelings and relate to his soon-to-be married son. Brian’s mother, Georgette (Ms. Harris, in her usual over-the-top role) is a gin-swilling lush. Meanwhile, the underappreciated sister of the bride, Jenny (Ms. Howard), feels overwhelmed with the responsibility of making all the wedding arrangements.

There is enough comic pathos in this show that “it shoulda been” a straight comedy, with no need for songs, because there is nothing memorable about Barbara Anselmi’s score and Brian Hargrove’s trite lyrics. He rhymes words like “you” and “Jew,” among others, in the musical numbers, all of which are sung well by the talented cast but do nothing to propel the story.

The performances are the most satisfying thing here. What’s amazing is how so much talent has been wasted on such a flimsy show. The most sincere performances are from Ms. Howard, bringing as much depth as possible to Jenny. Ms. Daly gives a lot of humanity to her otherwise hackneyed character. Josh Grisetti, as Jenny’s old friend Marty Kaufman, is also noteworthy. Edward Hibbert, as the fey wedding planner Albert, plays his usual role of, well, Edward Hibbert, but he gets some of the show’s biggest laughs.

The gifts of Sierra Boggess and Montego Glover (Tony nominee for Memphis) are mostly squandered on thankless roles and songs. Harriet Harris, as Georgette Howard, plays Harriet Harris as she has since her days as Bebe Glasier on “Frasier.” David Burtka is completely charmless as Brian Howard.

It Shoulda Been You tries to be many things but is ultimately just another mediocre wedding comedy. You’ll find much better ethnic jokes and nuptial-themed laughs by renting My Big Fat Greek Wedding than wasting your time with this wannabe farce.

AT THE RECEPTION: Nick Spangler & Montego Glover in ‘It Shoulda Been You.’ Photo: Joan Marcus

GIRL TALK: (left to right) Sierra Boggess, Tyne Daly, Lisa Howard & Montego Glover. Photo: Joan Marcus

TOASTING OLD ‘FRIENDS’ (left to right): Sierra Boggess, Nick Spangler, Montego Glover & David Burtka. Photo: Joan Marcus

THE SINGLE STEINBERG SISTER (left to right): Anne L. Nathan, Edward Hibbert, Adam Heller & Lisa Howard in ‘It Shoulda Been You.’ Photo: Joan Marcus

MOTHER OF THE GROOM: Harriet Harris in ‘It Shoulda Been You.’ Photo: Joan Marcus

Edited by Scott Harrah
Published April 19, 2015
Reviewed at press performance on April 18, 2015