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THEATER 

(L-R) “New York, New York, a Helluva Town” sing three gobs on 24-hour leave: Jeffrey Schecter, Tyler Hanes and Brian Shepard. Photo: Jerry Dalia.

Kelly Sullivan as Hildy, the cab driver, sings “Come up to My Place” to Brian Shepherd as Ozzie. Photo: Kevin Sprague

On the Town
Paper Mill Playhouse
22 Brookside Drive
Milburn , NJ
(973) 376-4343
Final Performance Dec. 6

On the Town was an extravaganza of new and familiar songs characterized by its (somewhat heavily relied upon) dance numbers. Acting prevailed in most of the players over singing, but Bill Nolte shone as Judge Pitkin, a less-than-jealous fiancé who “understands,” as he proclaimed in the newly written “I Understand,” his own life story of constant complete kowtowing.

On the Town was fast-paced during most scenes but went unbearably slowly during songs such as “Lonely Town,” with an innocent Tyler Hanes insisting “Any town without love is a lonely town,” like a man waking up from a coma. A musical that needs dance to support it is rarely a must-see, but Adolph Green’s and Betty Comden’s genius lyrics and Leonard Bernstein’s melodies, even the new ones - pushed the show into the “maybe” category. (Nice set design by Walt Spangler- Times Square looks too real to be believed, and Dreamland Coney Island is a funhouse brilliance of a horror/dance background.)

Here are my sister Lily’s comments: “ One minute I’m at Paper Mill Playhouse, the next minute I’m in New York City. Wow, I never knew a play could be that good. This play is definitely Broadway worthy! I give it 5 Bows.”

Upcoming plays at Paper Mill Playhouse:
Lost in Yonkers, Feb. 1 7- March 14
Smokey Joe‘s Café, April 7 – May 2
Peter Pan (The Musical), June 2 – June 27.
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