Review of
42ND STREET
The show is based on the 1933 movie “42nd Street.” When I first saw the 1933 movie on late night television, I fell in
love with not only the music, but also the dancing in the movie. So seeing a live stage production was very exciting. I
love those old song and dance movies.
Michael Stewart and Mark Bramble wrote the book (based on the novel by Bradford Ropes), Harry Warren wrote the
music, and Al Dubin wrote the lyrics, for the 1980 stage premier of “42nd Street.”
Bramble directed and Randy Skinner choreographed the tour. Other creative credits are: Douglas W. Schmidt (Sets),
Roger Kirk (Costumes), Paul Gallo (Lighting), Peter Fitzgerald (Sound), David H. Lawrence (Wigs & Hair) Todd Ellison
(Musical Director), Donald Johnston (Musical Adaptation, Arrangements & Additional Orchestrations), Philip Lang
(Orchestrations).
This show is about chorus dancers. The songs are still as fresh today as they were in the 1930s. I have always loved the
songs from this show…and the dancing. What can I say about this show, these kids danced there feet off! I do not
know how they can do this show everyday. It is a lot of dancing. Tap dancing is probably one of the harder dances as
you must keep up a rhythm and I have always thought they were never given the credit they should.
The one outstanding performer in this show is Shannon O’Bryan, the young lady who plays Peggy Sawyer. She is what
they call a triple threat. She not only can sing and act, but this girl can dance. She deserves the lead. She in fact is one
reason to see this show. She reminded me of the dancers of old. She has such stage presence.
The ensemble is an amazing group of dancers. I imagine it was hard to find that many young dancers who could also act
and sing. There were other outstanding performers in the show. Kathryn Kendall played the role of Maggie Jones last
night. I am always amazed when another performer goes in for the lead and does such a great job. Kendall’s comedic
timing was right on. She can sing and dance with the best of them. I also enjoyed Daren Kelly (Julian Marsh) I would
love to see him in a role where he could really use his acting and vocal abilities, special ling do some great ballads. He
was very good.
One young man who did a solo tap number was outstanding. I think the performer was Robert Spring (Billy Lawlor).
Some of the singers did appear to have some trouble; they seemed to be straining to reach the high notes. It may be
they were tired from traveling. I thought to myself how do you find so many performers who can act, sing and dance.
So maybe their vocal abilities were not the best, but this show is about dancing.
This show is about the chorus dancers who work behind the stars, some never get that big break. The show revolves
around one chorus girl who gets a chance to shine and shine she did. So just for the dancing and musical numbers alone
is why I enjoyed this show. When you look at the whole picture the show is a winner!
So get your dancing shoes on and go down to the Aladdin Performing Arts theatre and see “42nd Street!”