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Here Lies Jenny
by Les Gutman
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Jenny and her story point the way to glory To all man and womankind Anyone with vision comes to this decision-- Don't make up your mind ---from "Saga of Jenny" (lyrics by Ira Gershwin) |
G. Butler, B. Neuwirth and S. Emamjomeh (Photo: Carol Rosegg)
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In the great tradition of "let's get together and put on a show," Here Lies Jenny is the product of a group of friends who decided it would be fun to convene, late at night, and entertain a favorably-disposed audience. What distinguishes this effort from the norm is that the friends in question are among the most talented performers around, and the songbook they have chosen as their source material is one of the most glorious.
Cherry-picking the crème de la crè of Kurt Weill's songs (see list of musical numbers below), Jenny fashions its own story. This Jenny (Bebe Neuwirth), carrying a small bag containing, presumably, all of her her worldly possessions, descends into a seedy bar where she finds the bar keep (Ed Dixon), the piano player (Leslie Stifelman) and two regulars (Greg Butler and Shawn Emamjomeh). There, she reminisces and waxes alternately romantic, nostalgic and poetic, as the men add atmosphere.
Ms. Neuwirth does not convey the Jenny you will likely expect. She appears down on her luck but more fragile and innocent than street-wise and hardened. The crude attention she gets in the bar seems to empower rather than deflate her. Roger Rees, who "conceived" the show as well as directed it, is satisfied to give us impressions rather than a firm plot and sharply designed characters. It's the sort of concept that works better late at night in a clubby atmosphere (which makes the choices here apt) when our minds are more free-flowing. The audience is given license to decide exactly who and what Jenny is. At eight in the evening, that might prove infuriating.
One expecting to see the terrific Neuwirth in a dance extravaganza (especially since her Chicago colleague Ann Reinking provides the choreography and two Chicago dancers have been brought over to back her up) will be surprised that the dancing here is limited and not the focus, though not without its charms. More than anything else, Here Lies Jenny is an opportunity to hear over twenty Weill compositions, many in interpretations that are not copies of Lotte Lenya or, for that matter, Marianne Faithful.
Bebe does not disappoint, nor does the muscular rough trade duo of Greg Butler and Shawn Emamjomeh. And Ed Dixon is excellent as the weary but song-filled George. In the corner, on her upright piano, Leslie Stifelman provides the perfect musical accompaniment. Neil Patel has created all the atmosphere one could hope for, abetted by Frances Aronson's lights, Tony Meola's sound and Kaye Voyce's evocative costumes.
In the end, the right way to see this is to stop at the bar on the way in, have a couple of drinks, assume a seat in a darkly lit corner of a Weimar dive bar and let your imagination run free as you observe the goings-on.
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Here Lies Jenny Music by Kurt Weill Lyrics by Bertolt Brecht, Roger Fernay, Ira Gershwin, Jehuda Halevi, Langston Hughes, Alan Jay Lerner, Maurice Margre, Ogden Nash, Franz Werfel and Kurt Weill Conceived and Directed by Roger Rees starring Bebe Neuwirth with Greg Butler, Ed Dixon and Shawn Emamjomeh Set Design: Neil Patel Lighting Design: Frances Aronson Costume Design: Kaye Voyce Sound Design: Tony Meola Music Direction and Supervision: Leslie Stifelman Arrangements and Incidental Music: Jeff Saver Additional Arrangements: Chris Fenwick and Joe Thalken Choreography: Ann Reinking Running time: 1 hour, 20 minutes with no intermission Zipper Theatre, 336 West 37th Street (8/9 Avs) Telephone (212) 239-6200 THURS - SAT @11; $35-60 Opening May 27, 2004, closes July 24, 2004 Reviewed by Les Gutman based on 5/22/04 performance July 11 update: Early to bed Weill and Bebe Neuwirth fans rejoice. The producers have announced an expanded schedule to begin 7/28 and run through 10/03/04: Wed to Friday at 8pm, Saturday at 8 and 11pm and Sunday at 7pm. Neuwirth will also have a new supporting cast: Ed Dixon (as the barkeep), Chris Fenwick (as the pianist, music director and pianist ), Angelo Fabroni and Julio Monge (as the bar brutes) and Lenny Daniel (an understudy). |
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Musical Numbers
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A Boy Like You
Army Song Barbara's Song Berlin im Licht-Song Bilbao Song Children's Game Don't Be Afraid In meinem Garten In our Childhood's Bright Endeavor Je ne T'aime Pas Marter Oh Heavenly Salvation Pimps Ballad Saga of Jenny Song of Ruth Song of the Big Shot Stranger Here Myself Surabaya Johnny Susan's Dread The Tale of the Soldiers Wife Youkali: Tango Habanera. |
Retold by Tina Packer of Shakespeare & Co.
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Mendes at the Donmar
Our Review
At This Theater
Leonard Maltin's 2003 Movie and Video Guide
Ridiculous!The Theatrical Life & Times of Charles Ludlam
6, 500 Comparative Phrases including 800 Shakespearean Metaphors by CurtainUp's editor.
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