Last night at Barrington Stage 2 (aka St.Germain Stage) Eric Price and Joel Waggoner did just that! Presto Change-O simply flew off the stage into what should eventually be a Broadway run.
Eric wrote the delightful, amusing, and emotional book and lyrics, Joel the energetic music which portrayed every textual idea in scintillating floods of song. They are damned good!
Lenny WolpeThe very fine cast included Lenny Wolpe as Sheldon, Michael Rupert as Lance, Jarod Spector as Michael, Jenni Barber as Tina, Barbara Walsh as Mary, and Bob Walton as Arthur. Marc Bruni brilliantly directed the show.
Michael RupertThe rather complicated plot line dipped back and forth from the present into the past. Everyone on the stage is a magician. Everyone! Sheldon is a retired magician who is apparently suffering from some sort of senility, Mary is his daughter, Michael is the son of Mary and Lance, all of whom are magicians, and Arthur is Lance's brother, who is- guess what?
Jared SpectorNot only do these folks portray magicians on stage, they all do magic tricks before your very eyes, sometimes alone and sometimes all at the same time. It is dazzling!
Jenni BarberThrough a series of emotional events, Michael finally gets his divorced parents back together, falls in love with Tina, and learns from his grandfather that sometimes magic is real. This was a great idea that worked!
Barbara WalshJoseph Wartnerchaney was the Illusion Designer, which means he taught them all to become real magicians. The entire production staff is remarkable operating the complicated set and special effects effortlessly.
I feel that Act II could use a bit of tightening up. Second Acts are notorious for losing energy, but this is a minor point.
The witty words and music include solo numbers and various ensemble pieces which work beautifully. I don't know when I've seen a première of a musical that I enjoyed more.
