Paulanne Simmons
"Take Me Along" … for a Great Time
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| Teddy Eck, William Parry, Donna. Photo by Carol Rosegg |
"Take Me Along"
Directed by Charlotte Moore
Irish Repertory Theatre
132 West 22nd St.
From Feb. 20, 2008
Wed. thru Sat 8 p.m., Wed, Sat. & Sun. matinees 3 p.m.
$60 & $55 (212) 727-2737
Closes April 13, 2008
Reviewed by Paulanne Simmons Feb. 23, 2008
Eugene O'Neill is best known for his plays about dysfunctional families. But he did, in fact, write one romantic comedy, "Ah, Wilderness!" about an idyllic family living in a small town in Connecticut, the state he loved so well. In the late 50s, O'Neill's play was turned into a musical, "Take Me Along," with a book by Joseph Stein and Robert Russell, and music and lyrics by Bob Merrill.
Although "Take Me Along" garnered a Tony nomination for best musical, and Jackie Gleason won a Tony for best actor in a musical, it has only been revived once since its 448-performance run. And that was back in 1985, when it closed after opening night.
This is a shame, because "Take Me Along" is a sturdy musical with a great score and truly lovable characters. And if you want proof, go see the Irish Rep's revival directed by the unsinkable Charlotte Moore.
All of "Take Me Along" takes place on one day, the 4th of July around the turn of the century. James Morgan's beautifully painted set, with its images of the Town Hall, church and candy store, along with Linda Fisher's period costumes, straw hats for men and aprons for women, can make even the most cynical turn nostalgic.
The musical begins as newspaper owner and pater familias Nat Miller is honored for winning a fire engine for the town. But even in this moment of glory trouble is brewing in the Miller household.
The Miller's middle son, Richard (Teddy Eck), a self-proclaimed romantic is wooing the young and lovely Muriel McComber (Emily Skeggs), with the help of the Rubaiyat (from which the oringnal title, "Ah, Wilderness!" comes), and gets caught in the act by her irate father, Dave McComber (Gordon Stanley). And Nat's ne'er-do-well brother-in-law, Sid Davis (the ebullient Don Stephenson) is once again coming home to upset the family's equilibrium.
Uncle Sid, the brother of Nat's wife, Essie (Donna Bullock) is a delightful and charismatic figure who has been unsuccessfully courting Nat's sister, Lily (Beth Glover) for the past ten years. Lily's attraction to Sid is undeniable, but she has steadily refused him because he only proposes when he is drunk, and this doesn't seem to her a good augur of their future together.
Before love can triumph, Richard must resist the advances of the voluptuous Belle (Anastasia Barzee) at the Pleasant Beach House, and Sid must grow up and forsake his evil ways. But with the aid and example of the kind and gentle Essie and Nat, both man and boy find the right path.
"Take Me Along" has an infectious score heavily influenced by the ballads, ragtime and jazz so popular at the turn of the century. It glides effortlessly from the sentimental "Promise Me a Rose" to the sly "If Jesus Don't Love Ya" (Jack Daniels will). Barry McNabb's choreography is simple but sufficient.
"Take Me Along" has a strong cast. Glover, with her flaming red hair, and emotionally charged singing, makes Lily believably mature and impulsive, the perfect mate for the volatile Sid. Parry has the kind of casual decency that made Jimmy Stewart so popular.
Best of all, when you leave the theater you'll find yourself doing something you don't do frequently after seeing a musical these days. You'll be humming, and you'll he smiling.
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