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| Written by Phil Hopkins | |
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[title of show] Music and lyrics by Jeff Bowen Book by Hunter Bell Directed and choreographed by Michael Berresse Starring Hunter Bell, Susan Blackwell, Heidi Blickenstaff, Jeff Bowen Lyceum Theatre 149 West 45th Street titleofshow.com  Hunter Bell and Jeff Bowen in [title of show]; photo by Carol Rosegg Directed and choreographed by Michael Berresse, the show stars the author of its book, Hunter Bell, and the writer of its music and lyrics, Jeff Bowen, in the roles of Hunter and Jeff. They sing and banter about the assembly of their tuner along with cohorts Heidi Blickenstaff and Susan Blackwell, who also play themselves. Of couse, part of the joke of [title of show] is that it doesn't even have a title. The stripped-down nature of the presentation is also essential to its point; the set consists of four chairs and three walls, with an upstage-left piano as the only accompaniment. The ensemble's lack of star status is referenced in the piece, with Bell joking that one of the women's roles will be recast when the show moves Off-Broadway. Wit and surprising sincerity are in full force here. The show opens with a hilarious “Untitled Opening Number” that references Sondheim and Rodgers & Hammerstein, among others, forming the template for all to follow. Then the men discuss their not-wholly-firm intention to write a musical -- an intention that competes with their oppressive day jobs and their predilections for Broadway cast albums, reality TV, and masturbation. As the pair contemplate submitting their as-yet-unwritten piece to an Off-Off-Broadway musical theater festival in three weeks' time, Bell digresses to tell Bowen about his encounter with a Chelsea tranny, whom he calls “a zesty mess in a dirty dress.” Bell's wit is amply displayed throughout, perhaps positioning him to obtain work as a television writer -- an ambition openly expressed in the show. Hitting on the idea that their subject will be the very creation of the musical they're creating, Bell and Bowen start to realize its promise. The cleverness of another early song, “Two Nobodies in New York,” further conveys the predicament of the would-be writers. After much sweat, the first version of the show is written and accepted by the festival. The solo number “I Am Playing Me,” sung by Blickenstaff, wittily reiterates the concept of the show and displays the voice of the most obvious potential star in the cast. At this point, what would seem to be meager material for a tuner becomes an increasingly engaging exploration of the limitations, conflicts, and latent talent in a group of initially unaccomplished people striving for a single goal. Later, Blackwell sings “Die, Vampire, Die,” a song about the demons that haunt creatives. Her quirky looks and comic timing worthy of Ruth Buzzi compensate for her less-than-stellar voice. Love of musical theater and the affection among the cast members resonate strongly, despite the archness that the show's meta-theatrical premise might imply. We are swept up by the cast's struggles as well as their enthusiasm and inventiveness. When the Off-Off Broadway run ends and the Vineyard Theater expresses interest in staging their little musical, more material becomes available to the writers. Bowen and Bell deftly convey the poignancy of collaborating with friends while remaining enslaved to real-world jobs and commitments. The two begin to post hopeful YouTube videos announcing the transfer of the show to Broadway before it becomes a fact. After a series of meetings and intrigues, including the possible replacement of Heidi by Sutton Foster, the show finally has its triumphant debut on the Great White Way. By this point, the audience shares the disbelief of the cast at this improbable development, and their feeling of victory over adversity. With only a brief lag in its final quarter, [title of show] takes its place as the latest example of a new generation's appreciation of musical theater as an art form. Anyone who has ever striven to create something and has overcome obstacles in the processs should find much to admire here. |
