‘On the Twentieth Century’ a fun ride

MADCAP ‘TWENTIETH CENTURY’: (left to right) Peter Gallagher, Michael McGrath, Kristin Chenoweth, Mark Linn-Baker, Andy Karl. Photo: Joan Marcus

ON THE TWENTIETH CENTURY
Book and Lyrics by Betty Comden & Adolph Green
Music by Cy Coleman
Based on plays by Ben Hecht, Charles MacArthur & Bruce Millholland
Directed by Scott Ellis
Choreography by Warren Carlyle
Through July 5, 2015
American Airlines Theater
227 West 42nd Street
(212-719-1300),www.roundabouttheatre.org 

By David NouNou

The thing I remember enjoying most from the original 1978 production was the ultra-deluxe, magnificent Art Deco set by Robin Wagner. Not being the best of musicals in the form of book or score, On the Twentieth Century is getting its first revival in 37 years and what a grand one it is. Under Scott Ellis’ magnificent direction, he has infused so much life into this otherwise throwaway musical that it is one of the must-see musicals of this year. Granted, thus far the musical season has been a bust, so this is the best revival in many years. I will go further and state that since it has never been revived, for most audiences it would qualify for best musical of the year.

Most of us know this screwball comedy as Twentieth Century, in the form of the 1934 movie with John Barrymore and Carole Lombard at their best. The Roundabout did a fun revival of that in 2004 with Alec Baldwin and Anne Heche. Traveling on this particular 20^th Century Ltd from Chicago to NYC, we have to transport ourselves to 1932, when travel had style and elegance and enjoying the pleasure of riding with some of the zaniest characters we’ll have the good fortune with which to travel.

There is Oscar Jaffe, the down-on-his-luck producer (Peter Gallagher), who needs to sign Lily Garland (the fabulous Kristin Chenoweth) who was once his discovery and now a big movie star. He needs her desperately to be able to get back on his feet again. Both unrelenting ego maniacs who derive pleasure in the art of haute ham hijinks, Lily is traveling with himbo/boyfriend/leading man, the narcissistic Bruce Granit (Andy Karl), and Oscar is joined by his two gofers Owen O’Malley (Michael McGrath) his PR man, and Oliver Webb (Mark Linn-Baker), his lawyer. In this loopy mix is Letitia Peabody Primrose (Mary Louise Wilson), the nutty financier who is going to bankroll Oscar’s next show to lure Lily back to Broadway. Also on this ride, we are tended to by four porters: Rick Faugno, Richard Riaz Yoder, Phillip Attmore, and Drew King, all of whom make the ride that much smoother and a pleasure all the way till our final destination.

What makes this journey such a pleasure is that every facet of the production is done with elegance and taste, from the magnificent set by David Rockwell, to the delectable confectionery costumes by William Ivey Long and brilliant lighting by Donald Holder; this is a first-class production with no expense spared.

We also have an exquisite cast. Starting with Ms. Chenoweth, she has never been better. She has elevated Lily Garland to the grandness of Carole Lombard and is certainly a frontrunner for the Tony. Peter Gallagher is having the ham of his life, over the top and a constant delight. Although he got a Tony nomination last year for his role in the short-lived musical Rocky, this is the role that will finally get him the recognition he rightfully deserves. Just as Kevin Kline won his first Tony for this role, Mr. Karl is just as deserving for the featured actor Tony. Mr. McGrath and Mr. Linn-Baker provide humor to their gofer roles, and Mary Louise Wilson is the grand old nutty lady for all seasons.

Kudos to the Roundabout for making this ride On the Twentieth Century a lavish, deluxe one that we will remember for a long time.

ALL ABOARD: (left to right) Andy Karl. Kristin Chenoweth & Peter Gallagher in ‘On the Twentieth Century.’ Photo: Joan Marcus

NONSTOP LAUGHS: Andy Karl & Kristin Chenoweth in ‘On the Twentieth Century.’ Photo: Joan Marcus

SCREWBALL INSANITY: Kristin Chenoweth & Peter Gallagher. Photo: Joan Marcus

ONE OF THE BEST PERFORMANCES OF HER CAREER: Kristin Chenoweth in an absurdly funny number in ‘On the Twentieth Century.’ Photo: Joan Marcus

MON DIEU: Kristin Chenoweth in a preposterous, amusing Parisian production number in ‘On the Twentieth Century.’ Photo: Joan Marcus

Edited by Scott Harrah
Published March 18, 2015
Reviewed at press performance on March 17, 2015