First off, let's just get this out of the way...
Nobody fills out a pair of jeans like Cheyenne Jackson.
There. I've said it. 30 Rock's new co-star does a wonderful job playing Woody Mahoney, the do-gooder, patriarch of Rainbow Valley in the fabled state of Missituckey. His voice is just right and he's full of the charm and warmth needed for what is really an otherwise bland role. This fault in characterization is not the actor's fault, or even the writer's, but instead is a symptom of a story that just doesn't really resonate with modern audiences. The production is beautiful. The songs stick in your mind (yes, I left humming "Devil Moon"). Choreography, casting, music direction are all first rate, and yet I can't help wondering, "why bother?"
I'm sure the first audiences of this show felt like it was a groundbreaking bit of theater, with a theme that challenged the social norm of the day, but today they're just preaching to the choir.
Kate Baldwin and Jim Norton shine as the father and daughter McLonergans. Alina Faye dances her tootsies off as the mute Susan Mahoney. But once again in a "steal the show" role is Christopher Fitzgerald (Wicked, Young Frankenstein) as the high strung leprechaun, Og. Look for a Tony nod here.
Overall, I'm glad we saw it (thank you TKTS) before it closed. And I'm glad to now say I've seen a live production of Finian's Rainbow, but it's not going to go down in history as one of Broadway's best.
Brian
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