‘My Best Friend’s Wedding.’ – Based on the TriStar Pictures Film. Book by Ron Bass and Jonathan Harvey. Music & Lyrics by Burt Bacharach and Hal David. Directed and Choreographed by Kathleen Marshall. Music Direction by Andrew David Sotomayor. Scenic & Costume Design by Colin Richmond. Lighting Design by Rich Latta. Sound Design by Kevin Heard. Wig/Hair & Makeup Design by Roxanne De Luna. At Ogunquit Playhouse, Ogunquit ME through October 27th.
By Linda Chin
Don’t know what to do with yourself on Wednesdays through Sundays in October? After you wake up, put on your makeup, and say a little prayer, grab a good friend, bestie, or if you have a gay best friend – and head up the great big freeway (I-95) to the Ogunquit Playhouse to see the world premiere of the new rom-com musical My Best Friend’s Wedding.
Broadway’s ‘My Best Friend’s Wedding.’ – Based on the TriStar Pictures Film. Book by Ron Bass and Jonathan Harvey. Music & Lyrics by Burt Bacharach and Hal David. Directed and Choreographed by Kathleen Marshall. Music Direction by Andrew David Sotomayor. Scenic & Costume Design by Colin Richmond. Lighting Design by Rich Latta. Sound Design by Kevin Heard. Wig/Hair & Makeup Design by Roxanne De Luna. At Ogunquit Playhouse, Ogunquit ME through October 27th.
By Linda Chin
Don’t know what to do with yourself on Wednesdays through Sundays in October? After you wake up, put on your makeup, and say a little prayer, grab a good friend, bestie, or if you have a gay best friend – and head up the great big freeway (I-95) to the Ogunquit Playhouse to see the world premiere of the new rom-com musical My Best Friend’s Wedding.
Broadway’s Krystal Joy Brown (Hamilton), Matt Doyle (Company), Lianah Sta. Ana (Miss Saigon) and Telly Leung (Aladdin) star in the leading roles in a terrific cast of twenty triple-threats. Set in NYC and Chicago, My Best Friend’s Wedding tells the story of NYC food critic Julianne “Jules” Potter (Brown), who attempts to reignite a relationship with her old flame and lifelong “best friend” Michael O’Neal (Doyle), a Chicago sportswriter, ruin Michael’s relationship with his perfectly lovely fiancée Kimmy (Sta. Ana) four days before their wedding and derail the wedding itself. Jules leans on her loyal roommate and actual best friend, George (Leung), who is gay, for support and to be a voice of reason.
Not only was the screen version with Julia Roberts as Jules, Dermot Mulroney as Michael, Cameron Diaz as Kimberly, and Rupert Everett as George extremely popular when it was introduced in 1997, but it was also highly celebrated in its 20th and 25th-anniversary showings in 2017 and 2022. At Ogunquit’s opening night performance, it was apparent that the new musical has broad multi-generational appeal – and that the music and lyrics by Burt Bacharach and Hal David, including “I’ll Never Fall in Love Again” (originally written for Promises, Promises), “Walk on By,” “I Just Don’t Know What to Do With Myself,” “Say A Little Prayer,” “Close to You,” “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ On My Head” and “What’s New Pussycat” are beloved, iconic pop anthems that have stood the test of time and are appreciated by the youngest generation.
Many of the songs in the musical were written in the 60s and 70s, were part of the original film’s soundtrack, and include songs that were originally written for other musicals, but when turned into full company full-out production numbers with a multi-generational cast and multi-talented director and choreographer Kathleen Marshall’s splendid staging and vision, My Best Friend’s Wedding becomes one of the most wonderfully written, cleverly conceived and deliciously executed evenings of musical theater I’ve ever seen at Ogunquit Playhouse – or any theater in New England this year.
Brown, Doyle, Sta. Ana and Leung have impeccable comedic timing and strong dramatic instincts, impressive vocals, great dance moves, and gorgeous looks. Individually and as scene partners in various combinations, they get a chance to shine. Jules and Michael’s renditions of “The Look of Love, and “Close to You” are memorable (though the latter’s staging on the steps made it hard for some folks to see). Kimmy’s character cannot sing on key, but in a performance at a karaoke bar, where Jules sets her up to fail and humiliate herself, she knocks it out of the park. It’s a terrific moment. Telly Leung’s rendition of “Raindrops” – with an ode to “Singing In the Rain” and costumes/umbrellas/other props in the NYC taxi yellow and black of my childhood was visually and vocally elegant. Similarly, Leung’s performance of “What’s New Pussy Cat,” where he pretends to be Jules’ (straight) fiancé, is one for the ages.
Other strong performances were delivered by the Cinderella-like stepsisters who play Kimmy’s bridesmaids – Morgan Bryant and Zoe Jensen and Austin Phillips, who plays Michael’s younger brother (a squeaky number they perform after inhaling helium from balloons) and Kimmy’s parents, played by Soara-Joye Ross and Mark Lotito.
With a run time of 2 hours and 45 minutes, including intermission (the first act was 1:45 alone!), the storytelling could definitely use tightening. On a positive note, however, audiences will most likely have had the opportunity to see a longer version than what will remain after nips and tucks and trimming in (this reviewer’s fingers and toes crossed) the Broadway transfer. Some words of advice for the producers – don’t kill Julianne’s perfectly pink bridesmaid gown and her perfectly delivered line about it looking like a vagina. Also, might there be a sequel with the same cast entitled “My Gay Best Friend’s Wedding?” For tickets and information, go to: http://www.ogunquitplayhouse.org/2024-my-best-friends-wedding
