|
GRAND HOTEL
The Musical
Book by Luther Davis
Music & Lyrics by Robert Wright
And George Forrest
Based on the novel by Vicki Baum
Directed by Michael Weber
Choreographed by Tammy Mader
Musical Direction by Linda Slein
At Drury Lane Water Tower Place
175 East Chestnut
Chicago, IL
Call 312-642-2000, tickets $35 - $48
Tuesdays at 7:30 PM
Wednesdays (selected matinees at 1:30 PM)
Wednesdays at 7:30 PM
Thursdays at7:30 PM
Fridays at 8 PM
Saturdays at 2:30 & 8 PM
Sundays at 2:30 & 7 PM
Running time 1 ht, 50 min with no intermission
Through November 6, 2005
GRAND HOTEL is a glamorous triumph!
GRAND HOTEL: The Musical is a sensual and stylish show so tightly produced and meticulously performed that it looks and feels like multi-million dollar production. Director Michael Weber has delivered a slick, sophisticated show that smoothly engages us from the impressive opening, “The Grand Parade.”
Weber has marvelously utilizes the Grand Hotel’s opulence where the lobby, complete with a revolving door and a two level set adorned with crystal chandeliers and gilded moldings and grand staircases (set design by Robert C. Martin, lighting by Brian Bembridge) to set stage for a weekend in the classy Berlin hotel in 1928. Jeff Hendry’s costumes are reflect the 20’s look.
GRAND HOTEL is based on Vicki Baum’s 1929 novel that became the 1932 Academy Award winning film (Best Picture) with Greta Garbo, John Barrymore and Joan Crawford. GRAND HOTEL: the Musical has a book by Luther Davis and music and lyrics by Robert Wright and George Forrest with additional music and lyrics by Maury Yeston. The 1990 Tony Award winning Broadway production played over 1000 performances was originally choreographed by Tommy Tune .
I have seen GRAND HOTEL several times, including Michael Weber’s production several years age at The Theatre At The Center and I can state that this production is among the finest I’ve witnessed. It looks great and creates the proper atmosphere. The music never stops as it underscores and emphasizes the story, the character’s emotions while delivering the songs. Dance also dominates and accentuates the story. A couple dance waltzes and tangos throughout and the splendid ensemble dance in the background reinforcing the songs attitude. This blend of music, dance and song services to tell the various stories in a cleverly sophisticated stylish manner creating a nice flow.
GRAND HOTEL is a 110 minute one act musical about the luxury hotel’s guests in 1928 marking the end of an era just before the Great Depression and the rise of Hitler. This jazz age frenzy is aptly described in the music as we meet the principle characters: the charming yet broke Baron (James Rank); the aging prima ballerina (Barbara Robertson); the dying Jewish accountant (Jeff Kuhl); the star-stuck secretary (Dina DiCostanzo) and the troubled businessman (David Girolmo) and the disillusioned army doctor (James Harms).
Each character’s story is interwoven with music, songs and dance. I’ve not seen as clever a blending of song, dance and story as GRAND HOTEL offers. The show has elements of cynicism from the war scarred army doctor addicted to morphine and the bell captain. The guests are all desperate characters, some seeking love and money like the charming Baron (played and sung terrifically by James Rank), another is fighting old age while another strives for Hollywood fame. The businessman struggles to save his company and the accountant seeks some pleasure before dying. The show’s carpe diem theme offers choices: to live or die, honor or disgrace, love or loss, family or career.
Told through 1920’s song and dance, GRAND HOTEL’s quirky characters sing and dance into our hearts. Barbara Robertson was splendid as the aging ballerina. James Rank sang and charmed as the noble thief turned hero while Jeff Kuhl’s sympathetic mensch exudes empathy, hope and faith in human nature. Catherine Lord is the loyal companion to the ballerina and Diana DiCostanzino’s ambitious secretary. Each delivered everything their characters possessed. David Girolmo was deliciously nasty as the corrupt businessman.
Kudos to Tammy Mader’s stylish choreography from the couple doing the tango and waltzes to the show stopper Charleston happy number “We’ll Take a Glass Together,” her ensemble danced deftly with style and grace. This show uses dancers with their backs to the audience often while other characters are sings or playing a scene. This interesting technique serves the show nicely.
GRAND HOTEL’s score has a jazz age feel with cute tunes like “Maybe My Baby Loves Me” and emotional ballads like the knockout “Love Can’t Happen” sung beautifully by James Rank. The dancing is so strong here climaxing in a flowing, sleek ballet performed by Christopher Salvatore Perricelli and Courtney Hischke that it is the glue holding the piece together.
GRAND HOTEL is a triumph for Michael Weber and Drury Lane Water Tower Place. It is their finest show to date at about half the price of the Loop touring shows. GRAND HOTEL fits into the grandeur of north Michigan Avenue.
Not To Be Missed
Tom Williams
Tom99@chicagocritic.com for comments
September 15, 2005
This show eligible for a C.S.T. Equity Award
Jeff Recommended
|
