Theatre Review:                            “EVENT NEWS”

SILK STOCKINGS-Cole Porter Music/Lyrics & George S Kaufman/Abe Burrows Book Updated:Silk Stockings

By: Joseph Sirota

The entire creative team that birthed the 1955 Broadway Musical “SILK STOCKINGS” consisted of American-musical comedy all-stars, or legends (Cole Porter-Music/Lyrics, George S Kaufman/Abe Burrows-Book). Even the underlying story (lighthearted Russian tale Ninotchka by Melchior Lengyel) was a charmingly popular “reader-pleaser” that sparked the classic 1939 warm comedy film version with beloved Ernst Lubitsch directing screen icons Greta Garbo, Melvyn Douglas and Bela Lugosi to 4-Oscar Nominations with his “Lubitsch Touch”. With such noble roots the musical adaptation, “SILK STOCKINGS” ran for a solid near 500 performances on Broadway and spawned its own admirable film musical version in 1957 starring Fred Astaire, Cyd Charisse, Janis Paige and Peter Lorre (2 Golden Globe nominations).

The plot may sound silly, but it’s an amusing, charming “silliness” that’s easy to enjoy. The happy premise of love and free-spirit conquering strict Soviet rigidity and French/American romantic dreams out-blooming Russian political “rules” dividing lovers is predictable, but upbeat. Musical Theatre West (MTW) offers a bright, sparkly production featuring a newly adapted book that brings the plot forward to the 1960’s with USA/Russia co-partnering on a joint movie to ease Cold-War tensions. A bit “sugary”, but it does make for a lighthearted musical ride. Also added are two better known Cole Porter tunes (“All Of You” and “What Is This Thing Called Love?”) that fit the plot, and spark up the original score that was fun, but had lacked any Cole Porter “BIG standards” audiences could recognize and hum along to.

The book entails three bumbling, well-intended but ineffectual Soviet agents (delightfully played, sung and danced by Stuart Pankin, Nick Degruccio and Paul Kreppel), who are sent to Paris with orders to bring-back Russia’s favorite classical composer who’s scoring the joint movie, but getting far too fond of Paris, his leading lady and freedom (a truly likable defector to love and pop music as portrayed by very dandy, Andy Taylor). His big-voiced, strong-dancing romantic movie lead is brought to life by Darcie Roberts, again proving she’s an all around musical comedy dynamo.

When the three agents also fall under the magic of Gay Paree, embarrassed Soviet Higher-Ups back home launch their secret weapon – the beautiful lady agent, Ninotchka, who never fails a mission, and always gets her man. She must recover both the Composer and the errant three stumbling agents. Oh, my, that Parisian carefree romantic magic is more potent for even determined Ninotchka’s “iron-will”. Lovely Ninotchka  (Julie Ann Emery evoking a true siren, radiating held-back sensuality beneath outward cool control). She falls under love’s spell, thanks not only to Paris, but to the charismatic U.S. movie producer played with verve, style and plentiful affection by John Scherer. I hate to spill the beans, but heartfelt free-thinking and “true love” triumph with smiles, hugs and lively choruses.

Stuart Ross, creator of Forever Plaid, both directs and wrote the revised the book of this MTW production. The results might be deemed a likable work-in-progress. The show offers fun spirit and a number of high points (as when emerging love breaks through cold agent armor, and as the previously forlorn three spies finally let their suppressed inner dreams of a bright future burst out in jolly song). But in many spots, very able performers like Darcie Robert, Andy Taylor, John Scherer and an able ensemble seem left to “carry the show’ by their own sheer energy and inventiveness. The work needs “tightening”, “segues” and “fleshing-out” to reach its full potential. Still, it’s an enjoyable show that with a bit of thoughtful tweaking will shine.

--- “SILK STOCKINGS” makes that old “Cold War” warm up with romance at the Carpenters Performing Arts Center– 6200 Atherton St, Long Beach. Showtimes: Thur-Fri-Sat Evenings @ 8:PM. Sat-Sun Matinees @ 2:PM. And Sun Nov 16 @ 7:PM. Closes: November 23 @ 2:PM. Tickets: $25-$55. Phone: (562) 856-1999 . Website: www.musical.org