Harps and AngelsCenter Theatre Group at the Mark Taper ForumReviewed by
Les Spindle
November 22, 2010
Newman's repertoire balances slyly understated satire, rueful sentiment, and a life-affirming celebration of quirky humanity. Even when the tunesmith is at his most sardonic, the spirit of a good-natured jokester shines through, leavening the sting. There's a tiny hint of continuity—if scarcely a plot—in the show's progression from a fleeting introductory filmed narration by Newman about his early family life to a climactic deathbed scene. Yet don't expect this to be Newman's answer to Bob Fosse's semiautobiographical film "All That Jazz." "Harps" is essentially a string of episodes, occasionally glued together by token thematic links, offering a quintessentially American view of life's rewards and challenges. The performers are in superb voice and grace the smart material with incisive interpretations. Michael McKean, subtly positioned as the Newman persona, is particularly fine in the hilarious "Big Hat, No Cattle," which brilliantly skewers misplaced arrogance. Vibrant Katey Sagal is drolly delicious in "A Few Words in Defense of This Country," an ironic backhanded compliment to our nation's leaders. Versatile Matthew Saldivar taps into the profound melancholy of "Real Emotional Girl." Savoring the evening's choicest comic shtick, Ryder Bach delights in "The Man," a goofy paean to male fixation on being the dominant sex. Storm Large excels in the poignant "I Think It's Gonna Rain Today." Silky-voiced Adriane Lenox is enchanting in the sweet "You've Got a Friend in Me," performed in the deathbed sequence. The group is at its exuberant best in the first-act finale, "I Love L.A." The score sounds terrific, thanks to music director–arranger Michael Roth, orchestrations by David O and Roth, and the wonderful onstage orchestra. The show's splendid visual design includes Stephan Olson's scenic elements, Stephanie Kerley Schwartz's costumes, Brian Gale's lighting, and Marc I. Rosenthal's projections. Warren Carlyle contributes vibrant musical staging. Presented by Center Theatre Group at the Mark Taper Forum, 135 N. Grand Ave., L.A. Nov. 21–Dec. 22. Tue.–Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 2:30 and 8 p.m.; Sun., 1 and 6:30 p.m. (Added performances Mon., 8 p.m., Nov. 22; Tue., 7:30 p.m. Nov. 30; Tue., 8 p.m., Dec. 21.; Wed., 2 p.m., Dec. 22. Dark Thu., Nov. 25.) (213) 628-2772 or www.centertheatregroup.org. |
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