Centerstage - Chicago's Original City Guide

Articles Sections >> Arts + Words Bars + Clubs Dating Festivals Fitness Food Lifestyle Music Theater Travel + Tourism Who's Who > View All Theater Guides

Trekking to the far west suburbs rewards musical theater-goers.

Wednesday Jun 27, 2007.     By Colin Douglas

Theater Feed

The premise of "Musical of Musicals: The Musical" is simple. Take three lines of dialogue heard in almost every melodrama you've ever seen: "You must pay the rent. Can't pay the rent? Then you'll have to marry me." Then create five mini musicals around the dialogue in the style of some of Broadway's most recognizable composers and presto! You have this hilarious musical revue.

Beginning with "Corn," a parody of "Oklahoma," you'll recognize musical phrases, lyrics, dialogue and character stereotypes from every popular Rodgers and Hammerstein musical. The writers lampoon the pounding chord stylings of Stephen Sondheim, primarily poking fun at Sweeney Todd, with nods to "Into the Woods," "Sunday in the Park with George," "Company" and his other musical dramas. The act ends with a send up of Jerry Herman's upbeat musical comedies, most notably "Hello Dolly," "Mame" and "La Cage aux Folles."

The second half satirizes the musicals of Andrew Lloyd Webber in an "Evita"/"Phantom of the Opera" takeoff, with jabs at everything from "Cats" to "Starlight Express" (complete with roller-skating actors. A droll salute to Kander and Ebb, with references to "Cabaret," "Chicago" and "Kiss of the Spider Woman" conclude the performance.

Bill Jenkins smartly directs a gifted quartet of actors—Catherine Lord, Lindsay Naas, Mick Houlahan and Tom Taylorson—and Tom Clear completes the ensemble with onstage musical accompaniment and comic narration.

City-dwelling fans of Broadway musicals and revues such as "Forbidden Broadway" take note: This play warrants the drive to St. Charles.

"Musical of Musicals: The Musical" runs through July 21 at Pheasant Run Theatre. 8 p.m. Wednesday-Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sunday; $20-$50