Review - 110 In The Shade (5.17.07)

110 In The Shade (5.17.07)
Studio 54, New York City

By: N. Richard Nash (book), Harvey Schmidt (music), Tom Jones (lyrics), Lonny Price (direction), Santo Loquasto (sets, costumes), Christopher Akerlind (lighting), Dan Moses Schreier (sound), Jonathan Tunick (orchestrations), Dan Knechtges (choreography)

Starring: Audra McDonald (Lizzie), John Cullum (H.C. Curry), Chris Butler (Noah Curry), Bobby Steggert (Jimmy Curry), Christopher Innvar (File), Steve Kazee (Starbuck), Carla Duren (Snookie)

Audra, Audra, Audra. When Audra is on stage, we are in heaven. It almost doesn’t matter what she is saying, what she is singing, what she is doing. So long as she is on stage, we know we will be entertained.

Such is the case with 110 in the Shade, though to say so would be to understate the achievements of the remainder of the cast, which is uniformly excellent. But in the end, this production is about Audra McDonald, the extraordinary actress with a glorious voice. What is remarkable about McDonald is not that she sings well – though she does – but is that she manages to inhabit the character of Lizzie to such great effect. Though she is a beautiful woman, McDonald comes across as “plain”, just as the character calls for. But she is at the same compelling, and by the end we come to understand why she should have men fighting over her. She is all emotion – it pours out from her – and she is what gives 100 in the Shade it’s energy.

In the usual Roundabout fashion, Audra is not alone is this production, and she is surrounding by some notably excellent actors, particularly John Cullum as her father, H.C. Curry. Cullum is a master of musical theatre – though he does not sing particularly well, he has a wonderful presence and great comic timing. He is excellent and provides great support for McDonald in their several scenes together. Also particularly excellent is newcomer Bobby Stegger as Jimmy – he lends an adorable presence as Lizzie’s somewhat dim-witted younger brother. Chris Butler has the more difficult role of Noah, Lizzie’s dubious older brother, but he rounds out the clan nicely. Christopher Innvar, with his brooding baritone, is perfectly cast as File.

The notable deficiency in the cast is Steve Kazee, a goodlooking actor with a nice voice, who unfortunately is simply miscast. Kazee is a little too good-natured looking to be in the difficult role of Starbuck. He is not enough of a rascal, and he seems to struggle to give life to his big numbers. Although one can understand why he’d be drawn to Lizzie, it’s just not clear why she would be drawn to him.

110 in the Shade is not a real classic, though it has a couple of nice tunes. But it has some nice opportunities for great actors to show their stuff, and so it is the perfect “Roundabout” revival – a decent show populated by some great actors who give memorable performances. This production is light years ahead of the clunky revival of The Apple Tree, and will be remembered for bring Audra McDonald back where she belongs – in the starring role in a great musical theatre role.