In Saved, Cassandra (Morgan Weed), who's transferred to American Eagle Christian High School after being kicked out of every other school in town, tries to hide her vulnerabilities behind a hard goth-girl exterior. A similar dichotomy exists in this musical adapted from the 2004 movie Saved!. With music and lyrics by Michael Friedman and book and lyrics by John Dempsey and Rinne Groff, the show struggles to wed the film's satirical bite with a more emotionally rich portrait of life at the school. The result is that though amiable and occasionally moving, Saved is more often than not a frustrating affair.
When all-American basketball team captain Dean (Aaron Tveit) confides to his good-girl squeeze, Mary (Celia Keenan-Bolger), that he thinks he might be gay, they think they might be able to "fix" him. First there are extended make-out sessions and eventually there's intercourse, but it's no use. When Mary can no longer keep Dean's secret, she tells her BFF Hilary Faye (Mary Faber), who promptly reports Dean to the school's pastor principal (John Dossett). Crises of faith and other complications ensue for everyone concerned, including Mary's mom (Julia Murney).
The book works to present Mary and Dean's dilemma and other elements with compassion, while holding up Hilary's hypocrisy and the school's evangelical zeal to slight ridicule. Unfortunately, these tones collide. For instance, during a number in which Dean attempts not to sexualize his teammates while on the court, the lyric and Sergio Trujillo's choreography awkwardly aim for laughs as the character agonizes.
Director Gary Griffin's production sometimes manages to navigate the blend of mockery and genuine emotion, but this, a plethora of fine performances, and Friedman's tuneful score -- which offers more than bubblegum pop, often in surprising ways -- are not enough to rescue Saved.
Presented by and at Playwrights Horizons,
416 W. 42nd St., NYC.
June 3-22. Tue.-Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 2:30 and 8:30 p.m.; Sun., 2:30 and 7:30 p.m.
(212) 279-4200 or www.ticketcentral.com.
Casting by Alaine Alldaffer.