by Linda Chin
42nd Street – Music by Harry Warren; Lyrics by Al Dubin; Book by Michael Stewart and Mark Bramble; Directed by Brian Boruta; Music Direction by James Murphy; Musical Restaging and New Choreography by Lara Finn Banister; Scenic Design by Benjamin D. Rush; Lighting Design by Seifallah Sailotto-Cristobal; Sound Design by Elizabeth Havenor; Costume Design by Brian Simons, Properties Design by Sarajane Morse Mullins; Stage Managed by Michael Lacey. Presented by Umbrella Stage Company, 40 Stow St, Concord, MA through Oct 20th
With its stereotyped characters, dated dialogue, and thin plot, 42nd Street may not be representative of the bold, daring, innovative programming thatConcord’s Umbrella Stage Company promises to deliver (and has successfully shared with audiences for years). What is definitely daring, though, isproducing artistic director Brian Boruta’s decision to produce a show of this scale and complexity in a new facility that’s still unfamiliar and where the paint is barely dry. Bravo to Boruta (also the show’s director) and company for making this bold move, as the 21-member cast (yup, that’s 42 dancing feet) succeeds in proving that 42nd Street is a fitting opener for the Umbrella Stage Company’s inaugural season.
Based on the classic 1933 film, 42nd Street garnered Tony Awards for Best Musical in 1981 and Best Revival of a Musical in 2001, and is considered by theater historians/critics and theatergoers alike as the definitive musical about making a musical. Aspiring chorus girl Peggy Sawyer comes to the Big Apple and lands her first big job in the ensemble of a glitzy new Broadway show. But just before opening night, the leading lady (Dorothy Brock) breaks her ankle. Will Peggy be able to step in and become a star?
It is a testament to what theater artists do for love, to working round-the-clock – with little pay, and little sleep – to make the magic happen. It is an ode to the collaborative spirit of live theater, pulling together to resolve those technical difficulties or unpredictable moments that inevitably arise (e.g. the costumes aren’t ready, or the star sprains her ankle) but the show must go on.
It is also a tribute to music’s universality and song and dance numbers (including We’re in the Money, Shuffle Off to Buffalo, Lullaby of Broadway and the title anthem)that have stood the test of time. Music lifts people’s moods, leaps right into their hearts, and satisfies their cravings for connection and entertainment in tumultuous times, including the 1930s Great Depression era (when the show is set) as well as the current day.
42nd Street is the first of an ambitious six-show slate to christen the new Umbrella Center for the Arts’ performing arts spaces (mainstage and black box) in grand style. Yes, the performing arts facility is a total win-win for Concord, but also for the surrounding communities. Theater artists benefit from the community’s support and generosity with stage, backstage and orchestra areas that are technically state-of-the-art, thoughtful in design and generous in size (the space accommodates a 13-member orchestra, including musical director/conductor James Murphy). Audiences benefit from wonderful sight lines to the proscenium-style main stage (not a bad seat in the house). And for us theater geeks for whom musical theater “are the two most glorious words in the English language,” even the luxurious curtain, resplendent in red, seemed tailor-made for this show. It wasn’t drawn open from the sides, but rose – partially at first, for a perfect reveal of many pairs of dancing feet tapping in unison – and then completely, for a full display of the ensemble performing full out in the iconic opening number.
Umbrella’s Equity status also allowed the company to snag one of Greater Boston’s leading ladies, Aimee Doherty, to play diva Dorothy Brock. A five-time award recipient for Outstanding Actress in a Musical (two Nortons, three IRNEs), Doherty is an actor’s actor. She can take the sparse narrative and character development typical of many works in the musical theater canon and make the roles meaningful and memorable.
42nd Street also featured strong performances by Daniel Forrest Sullivan as Andy Lee, Todd Yard as Julian Marsh, and Barbara Pierre as Maggie Jones, but truly, every one of the 21 cast members contributed to this dazzling debut. For tickets and information, go to: https://theumbrellaarts.org/theater
