'Mr. Saturday Night': Billy Crystal & cast shine

‘MR. SATURDAY NIGHT’: Billy Crystal. Photo: Matthew Murphy.

MR. SATURDAY NIGHT
Book by Billy Crystal, Lowell Ganz & Babaloo Mandel
Music by Jason Robert Brown
Lyrics by Amanda Green
Directed by John Rando
Nederlander Theatre
208 West 41st Street
(866-870-2717), https://mrsaturdaynightonbroadway.com/

By David NouNou

Mr. Saturday Night brings back the old-fashioned musical, and I say this in the best sense of the word. The show is structured and framed with a wonderful book that is tailor-made for its leading man/star. It has a pleasant score that can be heard and understood without the overuse of amplified miking and digital backtracking. Here we have simple songs that are sung and not shouted, all to be enjoyed to propel the narrative. A simple show that uses the strengths of its star, in this case Billy Crystal recreating the role of Buddy Young, Jr. from the 1992 movie of the same name.

Set in 1994, Buddy has just finished performing in a retirement home, and his act didn’t go over big. Sitting in his living room watching the 1994 Emmys, he sees his name in the “In Memoriam” segment, and reflects on his life on how it has come to this. Starting in a Catskills hotel as a last-minute replacement for Milton Berle, he becomes a big hit and meets his future wife, Elaine (Randy Graff), both taking place on the same night. That same night his brother, Sam Yankleman (David Paymer, recreating his Oscar nominated-role in this part), met Elaine earlier that evening to go out with her and was also supposed to go on with Buddy as a duo act, but nerves got the best of him. He lost the girl and the act and settled to become Buddy’s manager and gofer.

Buddy became TV’s beloved “Mr. Saturday Night” until temper tantrums and the pressures of the job get to him. He is fired from TV, and his career spirals downward. It affects his relationship with his wife, who plays referee between him and their daughter, Susan (Shoshana Bean), who craves his attention. The brothers have a falling out because Sam has had enough of Buddy’s abuse and moves to Florida. Buddy manages to insult and ostracize everyone in the business, until one day an assistant talent agent, Annie Wells (Chasten Harmon) gets to see Buddy, and gets told off by him. She researches his acts, and things start picking up in some bizarre ways.

As I stated earlier, old-fashioned musicals tailor their material for “The Star” and Billy Crystal, along with Lowell Ganz and Babaloo Mandel, have scripted this musical to showcase their star, Billy Crystal, in the best light possible—and shine he does. Mr. Crystal has lived Buddy Young. His delivery of one-liners and his act are among the funniest you’ll hear or see this year. We all loved him as the host of the Oscars for nine years and he brightened many a dreary telecast with his instantaneous impromptu quips. However, here he is Buddy Young Jr., an unlikable character, and I think younger audiences may have difficulty separating the two. Audiences who have been weaned on Mr. Crystal’s movies—City Slickers, When Harry Met Sally, Analyze This and Throw Momma from the Train—have loved him for these “nice guy” roles, but may have trouble accepting this cantankerous Buddy. Younger audiences now marvel over the drama of Phantom of the Opera, the musical diversification of Hamilton, the pageantry of Wicked. Over the years, I’ve enjoyed watching audience reactions and how tastes change. It’s such a pity that audiences today don’t understand Borscht Belt humor and the Jewish/Yiddish sensibility that makes it so hilarious, the gentle side of musicals, and songs that are not necessarily remarkable but sweet to listen to.

There are eight characters in this musical headlined by Mr. Crystal. You can see his heart is invested in the character of Buddy, and his scenes with David Paymer as his brother, when they do their schtick, is truly sidesplitting and their dramatic moments are heartfelt.

Randy Graff, as the long-suffering wife, is a breezy delight. She always tries to make things easier by making a brisket. Shoshana Bean is in excellent voice as Susan, trying to discover her self-worth. Chasten Harmon as Buddy’s ardent agent/believer, can deliver the goods in singing and acting. John Rando, the director, spotlights his casts to perfection. He also oversees three very hard-working actors each playing multiple roles: Jordan Gelber, Brian Gonzales, and Mylinda Hull.

The show is great fun for an evening in the theatre. Billy Crystal and David Paymer, you both look and are “mah-velous.”

Edited by Scott Harrah
Published May 5, 2022
Reviewed at May 4, 2022 press performance.