Off-Broadstreet Theatre tweaks Murray Schisgal’s tale about the hijinks of a despondent trio.
By: Stuart Duncan
Murray Schisgal is perhaps best known for co-authoring the movie Tootsie in 1982. But 18 years earlier he had a most successful Broadway show, Luv, made into a 1967 film. Then, in the mid-’80s, when anything was fair game for a musical, that show was turned into What About Luv? Jeffrey Sweet wrote the book, Howard Marren composed the score and Susan Birkenhead added the lyrics.
It was an unlikely script only three characters, all despondent, sometimes suicidal; songs without much singability, with lyrics to match. In an ultra-lean year for material, it won a pair of Outer Critics Circle awards. A London production had more success, and a Tokyo staging was a huge hit.
Now Bob and Julie Thick have unearthed the show for Off-Broadstreet Theatre in Hopewell, taken a completely fresh look at it and developed a charmingly entertaining evening. They even secured permission to change the ending, substituting the title song, originally written for that spot, and thereby providing an upbeat closing. Most of all, as director, Bob Thick has emphasized the quixotic moments, both of plot and character, and choreographer Julie Thick has added melodramatic dance steps to flavor the tunes.
Not surprisingly, the opening-night audience lapped it up with howls of laughter and boisterous applause. Not bad for a show that begins with a man pinning up a suicide note and preparing to leap off a convenient bridge.
Part of the show’s great joy is the cast of three, all Off-Broadstreet veterans and all developing deliciously funny performances. All can sing with power and gusto, and all can act when required. Curt Herr plays Harry Berlin, our opening-scene leaper, with wide-eyed astonishment that might be close to silliness in less capable hands. Ed Teti, as Milt Manville, is the personification of smug success. And Lois Carr plays his unhappy wife, Ellen, who ditches Milt, marries Harry and is just as unhappy. Each of the actors finds wonderful moments to take comedy to very high levels indeed.
In truth, they don’t get much help from the writers. Consider, for example, this little ditty which Ellen sings: "I wish I were a lesbian/ My God how I would love it/ And all the men in all the world/ Could take romance and shove it."
That’s the song in its entirety, and it gives you some idea of what Director Thick and the company dealt with. But they succeeded; it’s a thoroughly entertaining evening, and you are advised to make reservations quickly because Off-Broadstreet has a habit of selling out.
What About Luv? continues at Off-Broadstreet Theatre, 5 S. Greenwood Ave., Hopewell, through March 20. Performances: Fri.-Sat. 8 p.m., Sun. 2:30 p.m.; doors open one hour earlier for desserts and beverages. Tickets cost $22.50 Fri., Sun.; $24 Sat. For information, call (609) 466-2766.<</i>br>