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It’s a Bird! It’s A Plane! It’s Superman!
The Musical Comedy
Directed by William Osetek
Choreographed by Tammy Mader
Music Direction by Margaret James
At Drury Lane Oakbrook Theatre
100 Drury Lane
Oakbrook Terrace, IL
Call 630-530-0111, tickets $25 - $50
Wednesdays & Thursdays at 1:30 pm
Thursdays at 8 pm
Fridays at 8:30 pm
Saturdays at 5 & 8:30 pm
Sundays at 2 & 6 pm
Running time is 2 hours, 15 minutes with intermission
Through July 29, 2007
Superman soars into a delightful light musical treat
What’s wrong with a cute, light and thoroughly well staged old fashion styled musical comedy? Answer: nothing. Drury Lane Oakbrook Theatre’s comic book musical, It’s A Bird! It’s A Plane! It’s Superman!, is a tongue-in-check, sly and sassy spook of the Man of Steel. This is pure DC Comic set to music with loads of basic good verses evil that has Superman, well being Superman. What I like about the show is that it doesn’t take itself seriously. It is pure fluff and it is played for all the cute, comic elements on Charles Strouse (Bye, Bye Birdie) tuneful score utilizing Lee Adams clever lyrics. It winks at us and it conveys as pure entertainment.
We see square-faced Jim Rank mug as Superman/Clark Kent. Once Rank flies onto the stage and delivers the opening song, “Doing Good,” we start to smile as the hero quickly wins out hearts. I grew up with the old Black & White TV Superman shows. Jim Rank plays to George Reeves take on Superman in an ode to those corny old shows. Rank becomes our hero.
The book contains a pure DC Comic plot that finds the evil Dr. Sedgwick (David Perkovich as the smiling villain) trying to destroy the Man of Steel. Perkovich is wonderful as the evil Doctor. The jealous theatre writer, Max Menken (Bernie Yvon at his comic/vaudeville best) also wants to discover Superman’s identify in a vain attempt to take the luster for the hero. Lois Lane (McKinley Carter) loves Superman but flirts with Jim Morgan (Jason Bayle) Dr. Sedgwick’s assistant. Sydney (Holly Stauder), Max’s secretary is a hoot. John Reeger leads the Russian helpers to Dr. Sedgwick in several funny bits. The standard plot contains a flying Superman, several fine show stopping dance numbers (fine innovative choreography by Tammy Mader). Song like “It’s Super Nice,” “So Long, Big Guy” and “Woman For the Man” offer slick classic styled Broadway show tunes. Robert Kovach’s vivid pastel set and Jesse Klug’s lighting evoke a comic book tone.
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It’s A Bird! It’s A Plane! It’s Superman! is a fun show that will surprise you with fine music, many laughs and more smart dances that you’d expect from the title. It is a cute, worthy show that sports excellent production values and a hard working cast that gets everything from the material. It’s innocence and light heart wins us. Kids will love this show.
Recommended
Tom Williams
Tom99@chicagocritic.com for comments
Talk Theatre in Chicago podcast
Date Reviewed: June 7, 2007
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