Allegro

[edjames]

The infamous Rogers and Hammerstein flop, Allegro, has been given a second look. A new production has opened at The Classic Stage Co off-Broadway.

 

UK director, John Doyle, known for his stripped down versions of Company and Sweeney Todd has taken his hatchet to this musical. I saw it a couple of weeks ago and frankly I was amazed how much I liked it. In his usual fashion, Doyle, has recruited a cast of multi-talented performers and given them the task of playing multiple characters and instruments. Surely this is extreme multi-tasking, but they carry it off without a hitch.

 

The music is lovely, typical of R&H but without any true standout numbers. The classic standard The Gentleman is a Dope is perhaps the best known song from the score.

 

As mentioned the cast plays multiple roles and they are all good. Claybourne Elder plays Joe growing up throughout and his handsome all-American good looks provides some nice eye candy.

 

Mr. Doyle has stripped down the script and the show runs 90 minutes. No intermission.

 

Worth a look...

 

Reviews are just in.

 

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/20/theater/allegro-a-rarely-staged-rodgers-and-hammerstein-musical.html?ref=arts&_r=0

 

http://nypost.com/2014/11/20/off-broadway-revival-of-allegro-strikes-a-lovely-chord/