1 post tagged “jonathan crombie”
I had seen Broadway's The Drowsy Chaperone a while ago shortly after it opened. The charming story portrays a theater-obsessed, flamboyant recluse's explanation of his obsession with the fictional 1920's Broadway musical titled "The Drowsy Chaperone." Over the course of the show, the scenes of the musical come to life in his drab apartment all accompanied by his many, knowing asides. It's a thoroughly enjoyable and light-hearted piece, almost too intimate and unusual to be truly appreciated by anyone not familiar with the theater business. Nonetheless, it's still entertaining for all.
I was determined to see it again because an actor from one of my favorite TV movies growing up took over the lead recently in preparation to head the North American tour company. Since the 1980s, when it first debuted on PBS, I've always loved the Canadian movie version of the Anne of Green Gables story. The romantic lead, Gilbert Blythe, was played by Jonathan Crombie, at that time an unassuming young actor, the son of a former mayor of Toronto, Ontario. I've always tried to keep track of the actors involved in the show and catch their new projects, always difficult with Canadian performers who typically stay north of the border. Mr. Crombie has worked mostly in Toronto splitting time between theater projects, improv comedy and some feature television projects, so I was truly excited to see that he would be performing live here in New York.
Because of his association with the co-author and debut lead actor of the show, Bob Martin, Crombie has been involved in a couple of Martin's projects. He has appeared in episodes of the Canadian television series Slings and Arrows, which Mr. Martin created. But it was his involvement in The Drowsy Chaperone at it's beginning that foreshadowed his current role. Starting at the fringe theater festival in Toronto, the show grew and blossomed into the current Broadway production. Likewise, Crombie acted in a secondary role in that original production but now heads the cast in the upcoming North America tour.
Crombie covered the role of "Man in Chair" for several week back in March of this year but I never realized until after he was well gone (argh!). Now thanks to Google alerts, I was able to catch his solid performance tonight before the tour starts in September. Bob Martin as the original "Man in Chair" was manic, zipping back and forth between commentary, introspection and stage business. Crombie's performance never quite achieves that same breathless and exuberant flow--his performance seems a more deliberate and mincing version of Martin's interpretation--but he still successfully carries the plot through on good instinct and well-paced timing.
Not that he's outshone by the rest of the cast unfortunately. After several replacements in key roles, at least at this performance, the show simply isn't as tight or sparkling when it first debuted. Mara Davi, taking on the role of Janet Van De Graff, is an excellent singer, dancer and actress (fresh from her debut as Maggie in Chorus Line) and carries the part well. Unfortunately, like a photocopy of a picture, you lose something of the knowing charm of Sutton Foster's original portrayal. Stacia Fernandez, stepping in for an absence of Beth Leavel, is again a triple threat, chewing the scenery when she's on stage and belting to the back of the house. But she also misses the subtle, boozy comedic timing of Ms. Leavel, who won a Tony award for the role. This Chaperone is much too sober. Without these key elements, neither of the roles is half as successful. Jo Anne Worley is also a poor replacement in the sweet but dotty role of Mrs. Tottendale. Georgia Engels' original was endearing. Ms. Worley's much broader comedic style, while still funny, suits the role less well in such an intimate setting.
Two standouts from the original cast however are Danny Burstein and Jennifer Smith. Mr. Burstein, as the dim Latin lothario Adolpho, is still hilarious, bringing down the house with his namesake song. Ms. Smith also delights with her ditzy Kitty. Kudos also to original cast member Jason Kravits' Gangster #1--still sharp but would have been sharper with his regular Gangster #2, brother Garth Kravits. The height joke just doesn't work when one of the pair isn't short! And Troy Britton Johnson's handsome charm and mellow voice still gleams as bright as his pearly whites.
All in all, while still an entertaining show, the champagne of opening night has gone a little flat. It's a compact evening--the quick runtime will never have you looking at your watch--but it makes every element of the show that more important. I wish Jonathan Crombie all the best for the upcoming tour, which I predict will be as successful as the tenured Broadway production, and am sure to hear good thing about his performances, as well as the rest of the tour cast, as they "stumble along."
