A very funny excursion into the “Golden Age” of Broadway
“Schmigadoon!” – the name itself evokes a classic from the Broadway stage, “Brigadoon”, the 1947 musical created by Frederick Loewe and Alan Jay Lerner about two American tourists who stumble upon a mysterious village in Scotland that appears for only one day every 100 years.
A salute to musicals from the golden age, Cinco Paul, who initially wrote the story for a TV series and created the songs, also took his inspiration from a variety of familiar musicals like “The Sound of Music”, “Oklahoma!”, “Carousel”, and “The Music Man” among others. The result is so exuberant and well put together that one can only notice the apparent original sources of this extraordinarily entertaining musical, centered around a delightful simple story.
Josh Skinner and Melissa Gimble, two doctors working in a New York hospital, have entertained a relationship for the past three years, but Melissa begins to tire from the monotony that has resulted. She proposes that they go on a trip to a forest far from the city. To their surprise, they come across a bridge that brings them to a countryside hamlet that dates back to the late 1800s-early 1900s and has not changed since. The people who live there, dressed in the same way they did back then, are always dancing and singing as if they were in a musical, and don’t seem to be aware of the progresses made elsewhere.
Eventually, Josh finds another companion, Emma, who could spend her life with him in New York, while Melissa at first charmed by Danny, a carousel barker who is killed accidentally, and by the local doctor in need of a nurse, considers the possibility of staying in the village. But they both realize that they are made for each other and decide to go back where they came from, while the people of Schmigadoon wish them a happy life together, while singing “How We Change”.
Everything in this exuberant production serves the story and charms the audience. The musical numbers, choreographed by Christopher Gattelli, who also staged the show, are a bright demonstration that old-time singing and dancing in musicals were, and still are, a grateful way of enjoying a show, significantly when, as is also the case here, scenic designs (Scott Pask) remain simple and eye-catching altogether.
But what makes the show such a catchy production is the casting of funny comedians who emphasize the roles they play with vivacity and charm. In addition to Alex Brightman as Josh, and Sara Chase as Melissa, both exquisitely seductive, the stage also belongs to McKenzie Kurtz, whose characterization as Betsy, defined by her hilarious laughter throughout the show, keeps the audience in stitches; Ana Gasteyer as the raucous, screaming Mildred Layton who aims to control the city; Maulik Pancholy as her meek husband, the Reverend Layton, who confesses that he is gay; Brad Oscar as the authoritative Mayor who reveals his own inclination for men; and the cute Ann Harada as Florence, the mayor’s wife, better-sounding than her role seems.
Others who contribute to these frequent moments of pleasure include Isabelle McCall as Emma, the teacher whose little brother, Carson (she eventually reveals he is her son), is played with great talent by the young Ayaan Diop; Max Clayton, as Danny, whose characteristic performance evokes John Raitt in “Carousel”; Nathan Lucrezio as an irate farmer, father of Betsy; and Ivan Hernandez as the old-time Doc more anxious to travel than save his patients. They all contribute to making this hysterical musical a delightful show that should be around for months (and possibly years) to come.
Music Supervision: David Chase • Music Direction: Steven Malone • Direction and Choreography: Christopher Gattelli • Scenic Design: Scott Pask • Costume Design: Linda Cho • Hair and Wig Design: Tom Watson • Makeup Design: Ashley Ryan • Lighting Design: Donald Holder • Sound Design: Walter Trarbach • With: Alex Brightman (Josh Skinner), Sara Chase (Melissa Gimble), Ana Gasteyer (Mildred Layton), Ann Harada (Florence Menlove), Ayaan Diop (Carson), Brad Oscar (Mayor Menlove), Isabelle McCalla (Emma Tate), Ivan Hernandez (Doc), Maulik Pancholy (The Reverend Layton/Leprechaun), Max Clayton (Danny Bailey), McKenzie Kurtz (Betsy) and others
Cover photo: Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman