Word: marsh
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Dates: during 1980-1989
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...THINK MUSICAL COMEDY. . .the most glorious words in the English language," crows Julian Marsh, the gruff but gentle caricature of a Broadway producer in 42nd Street. Believing that one of the most entertaining subjects to be made into musical theater is musical theater itself. David Merrick (a real-life Julian Marsh) has taken a 1930s musical, wrapped it in extravagant sets and costumes, revitalized extensive tap-dancing routines for the familiar score, and recreated what he modestly calls "the song and dance fable of Broadway." Indeed, Merrick has brought back the old-style high-kicking Broadway musical of elaborate production...
...starry eyed naive Peggy Sawyer coming from the rural hinterlands to make her mark in the flashy world of big city show business. After two hours she has risen from a chorus girl to the star of the show, maybe even falling in love on the way. After hearing Marsh utter such gems as, "Sawyer, you're going out there a young stand-in, but you have to come back a star," you realize this is not going to be a thought-provoking night of theater...
...CLEVER STAGING and some fine performances bring a freshness to the cliches. As Marsh, Barry Nelson brings a deft comic touch to the role, allowing us to see moments of softness. Only when Nelson tries to sing does the quality drop, but since this seems to be in character it doesn't detract from his portrayal. Dolores Gray's nasal, somewhat harsh voice is rather discordant, but is also in keeping with the arrogant character of the untalented prima donna whose injury opens the road to fame for our heroine Peggy Sawyer, although she often appears a bit too secure...
Reported by Marsh Clark/Dukwe, Botswana
...sometime, but certainly this was a bit Marsh...