MUST SEEREVIEWSTheatre ReviewsTom Williams

NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT

Music and Lyrics by George and Ira Gershwinnice work logo

Book by Joe DiPietro

Directed by Danny Herman & William Pullinsi

Choreographed by Danny Herman

Music Direction by Bill Underwood

At the Theatre at the Center, Munster, IN

Funny contemporary old fashioned musical comedy features the Gershwin songbook and a zany book

Bill Pullinsi’s farewell production at the Theatre at the Center is, of course, a full-throttle musical comedy featuring a game cast lead by Justin Brill and Erica Stephens doing their best Fred Astaire-Ginger Rogers take on the Gershwin songbook.

Cast members Justin Brill and Erica Stephan of the musical comedy Nice Work If You Can Get It at Theatre at the Center in Munster, Indiana. Photo by Guy Rhodes

Set in the Roaring Twenties, Nice Work If You Can Get It is a fast-paced musical filled with exciting dance numbers, Roaring 20’s costumes, and a cute love story between newly married New York playboy Jimmy Winter (Justin Brill) and the feisty bubbly bootlegger, Billie Bendix (the lovely Erica Stephens), who melts his heart. This new Broadway musical features a book by Tony Award winner Joe DiPietro, and a treasure trove of George and Ira Gershwin’s most beloved, instantly recognizable tunes (“Let’s Call the Whole Thing Off,” “Someone to Watch Over Me”, “‘S Wonderful”).

Cast members (from left) Erica Stephan, Ashley Lanyon, Justin Brill, and Kayla Kennedy of the musical comedy Nice Work If You Can Get It at Theatre at the Center in Munster, Indiana. Photo by Guy Rhodes

Besides the fine showstoppers like “S Wonderful,” ‘Fascinating Rhythm,” and “Let’s Call The Whole Thing Off,” there is terrific comedy bits from Steff Tovar and Laura Freeman. Gershwin’s songs are in good hands with this cast as comedy aids them directly into our hearts. This show is a sweet good-time.

Highly Recommended

Tom Williams

Date Reviewed: May 8, 2016

Jeff Recommended

For more info checkout the Nice Work If you Can Get it page at theatreinchicago.com

At The theatre At the Center,  1040 Ridge, Munster, In, Call 219-836-3255, www.theatreatthecenter.com, tickets $40 – $44, Wednesdays & Thursdays at 2pm, Fridays at 7:30 pm, Saturdays at 7:30 pm, Sundays at 2″30 pm, select Thursday and Sunday evenings and Saturday matinees, running time is 2 hours, 35 minutes with intermission, through June 5, 2016