
(L-R)
“New York, New York, a Helluva Town” sing three gobs on
24-hour leave: Jeffrey Schecter, Tyler Hanes and Brian
Shepard.
Photo: Jerry Dalia.

Kelly Sullivan as Hildy,
the cab driver, sings “Come up to My Place” to Brian
Shepherd as Ozzie.
Photo: Kevin Sprague



On the Town
Paper Mill Playhouse
22 Brookside Drive
Milburn , NJ
(973) 376-4343
Final Performance Dec. 6
On the
Town was an extravaganza of
new and familiar songs characterized by its (somewhat
heavily relied upon) dance numbers. Acting prevailed in most
of the players over singing, but Bill Nolte shone as Judge
Pitkin, a less-than-jealous fiancé who “understands,” as he
proclaimed in the newly written “I Understand,” his
own life story of constant complete kowtowing.
On
the Town was fast-paced during most scenes but went
unbearably slowly during songs such as “Lonely Town,”
with an innocent Tyler Hanes insisting “Any town without
love is a lonely town,” like a man waking up from a coma. A
musical that needs dance to support it is rarely a must-see,
but Adolph Green’s and Betty Comden’s genius lyrics and
Leonard Bernstein’s melodies, even the new ones - pushed the
show into the “maybe” category. (Nice set design by Walt
Spangler- Times Square looks too real to be believed, and
Dreamland Coney Island is a funhouse brilliance of a
horror/dance background.)
Here
are my sister Lily’s comments: “ One minute I’m
at Paper Mill Playhouse, the next minute I’m in New York
City. Wow, I never knew a play could be that good. This play
is definitely Broadway worthy! I give it 5 Bows.”
Upcoming plays at Paper Mill Playhouse:
Lost in Yonkers, Feb. 1 7- March 14
Smokey Joe‘s Café, April 7 – May 2
Peter Pan (The Musical), June 2 – June 27.
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