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Two For The Show
An original Musical
Written by Will Clinger and James FitzGerald
Directed by Jeremy Wechsler
Choreographed by Katrina Williams Brunner
Produced by Theater WIT
At the Theatre Building Chicago
1225 W. Belmont
Chicago, IL
Call 773-327-5252, tickets $30
Thursdays thru Saturdays at 8:15 PM
Sundays at 2:30 PM
Running time is 2 hours with intermission
Through April 22, 2006
The road show lives on
Theater WIT loves to find new musicals to enchant us and their latest, Two For The Show is an ode to vaudeville, to the Hope and Crosby films chuck full of cornball humor, goofy sight gags, funny rhymes with old time soft-shoe dances complete with straw hat and canes. This delightful and hilarious trip along the vaudeville circuit is enjoyable because we quickly like the team of Rice (Will Clinger) and Shine (Bret Tuomi).
Will Clinger and James FitzGerald have written a clever original score featuring all the expected gags, bits and light musical numbers so hooky, so vaudeville that we are ready to cheer if we weren’t too busy laughing. Clinger and Tuomi work together marvelously as the two easily and competently land their routines, songs and dances. This is a high tribute to those Hope and Crosby musical films and to all the acts that did 3-5 shows a day on the legitimate stage during the first half of the 20th Century.
The storyline is thin as the two carnival barkers get fired, then team up and, with the aid of Louise (Lindsey Pearlman), win a local talent contest. When Louise leaves, an act is born. After several years on the road performing, Rice and Shine land in New York. Clinger and Tuomi enchant us with cute numbers like “Two Fops from Froppingham” done in their finest mock to the Brits. Clinger’s “A Song About A Salad” with Tuomi and Pearlman was witty, clever and a showstopper. We hear ballads, satirical numbers as well as fine ditties throughout this fast paced funny light musical.
When Rice (Clinger) get a movie without Shine, bitterness brakes up the stage act. Louise loves both guys and expresses it in “All of the Above.” Of course, as in the road films, the two get together as Shine need help to rescue him and his new musical from disaster. We see Rice and shine (and Louise) reprise their theme song. “Friends to the End.”
Kingsley Day’s deft piano work and musical arrangements together with some acting rounded out the terrific cast. Two For The Show is funny, tuneful with lovable characters rich in old-time Broadway show biz flavor. Clinger and Tuomi are tremendous. This small show is big time entertainment.
Highly Recommended
Tom Williams
Tom99@chicagocritic.com for comments
Talk Theatre in Chicago podcast
Date Reviewed March 12, 2006
Jeff Recommended
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