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Paint Your Wagon
By Laura Hitchcock
In its first revival since its Broadway debut in 1951, this Lerner & Loewe musical, despite its formulaic structure, proves playwright David Rambo's contention that the California gold rush and racial prejudice are, unfortunately, just as relevant as ever. In his new adaptation Rambo doesn't hesitate to underline the similarities, in such lines as "We won California the American way -- in a war" . . .or, in a comment about a Mexican, "He ain't even a person!"
Love conquers all, even gold lust, to prance this wagon to a happy ending and, under Gil Cates' robust humorous direction, a good time is had by all -- except the villain. The coarse and unsavory Bull Bullnack (Rob Kahn), who wasn't in the original production, seems to have blundered into this one in Jud Fry's shoes from Oklahoma! His one-dimensional character and his predictable second-act fight with Julio are stereotypes this likeable show could do without.
Also superfluous are Morman John Woodling (Andy Umberger) and his two wives Elizabeth (Tracy Powell) and Sarah (Erika Amato). Their presence serves mainly to give the two wives a catfight song which is supposed to by funny but isn't.
In the wagon driven by Ben Rumson (Tom Wilson) are his teen-age daughter Jennifer (Jessica Rush) and his diverse crew, including ex-slave Ulysses (David Jennings) and a Chinese cook, Ah-Wah (Ian Shen). They hope to strike it rich at a mountain camp near Sacramento and think they have. Ben constructs Rumson Town and lets Jake Wippany (Robert Alan Clink) open a "dance hall" with an international quartet of fandango ladies.
Fandangista Lily (Sharon Lawrence) is a desperate down-on-her-luck Shakespearean actress who auditions for the role of Mrs. Rumson on the spot and nails it. This character is also a newcomer to this production and adds a more novel dimension than Bull. She defines and personifies the hand-to-mouth world of traveling theatre in the 19th century, still an empathetic life.
Jennifer, equally desperate to escape smelly suitor Bull, heads for the "crick" for a dip and finds it already occupied by a gorgeous Mexican, Julio Valveras (Alex Mendoza). His family once owned the property and he has no trouble forming a close personal relationship with water.
We're carried to the end without surprises by an excellent cast singing some of Lerner & Loewe's most unforgettable songs; among them "Wand'rin' Star", "I'm On My Way", "I Talk To The Trees", "I Still See Elisa" and a poignant quartet rendering of the 11 o'clock number, "They Call The Wind Mariah", which will make you totally forget Frankie Laine.
Burly Tom Wilson brings energy and presence to the role of Ben, the eager seeker whose wagon is always hitched to a wandering star. Jennifer Rush is a delight as Jessica, both vocally and in her considerable range as an actress, ranging from tomboy to tremulous Juliet. Sharon Lawrence plays Lily with silky sophistication and Alex Mendoza is passionate and tender as Julio, the exile searching for a home in Palos Verdes. Other outstanding performers include David Jennings as Ulysses, Morgan Rusler as Wilmer, Robert Alan Clink as Jake Wippany, Joe J. Garcia as Father Ignacio and Rob Kahn as Bull.
The busy set design includes period photos projected on the backdrop and on two large cut-out trees that flank the proscenium. Occasionally you'll see something waving over the top of the backdrop which turns out to be not a bird but the hands of conductor Steve Orich, who leads his six-piece band that includes a guitar and a concertina with deft ebulliance.
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PAINT YOUR WAGON Book & Lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner; music by Frederick Loewe; revised book by David Rambo Director: Gilbert Cates Cast: Tom Wilson (Ben Rumson), Jessica Rush (Jennifer Rumson), David Jennings (Ulysses Wilson); Morgan Rusler (Wilmer Wagner); Rob Kahn (Bull); Steven Hack (Salem Strauss); Robert Alan Clink (Jake Wippany); Erika Amato (Cherry Jourdel, Sarah Woodling); Harry S. Murphy (Preacher Bainbridge); Ian Shen (Ah-Wah); Daniel Lujan (Miwok); Alex Mendoza (Julio Valveras); Janelle Dote (Kwai Fa); Tracy Powell; Sharon Lawrence (Lily); Joe J. Garcia (Father Ignacio); Andy Umberger (John Woodling) ( Scenery & Lighting Design: Daniel Ionazzi Costume Design: David Kay Mickelsen Sound Design: Philip G. Allen Musical Direction, Arrangements, Orchestrations: Steve Orich Choreography: Kay Cole Running Time: Two hours 15 minutes with one intermission Running Dates: 12/01/04 to 1/09/05 Where: The Geffen at The Brentwood Theatre, 11301 Wilshire Blvd., Bldg. 211, Veterans Administration, Los Angeles, Ph: (310) 208-5454. Reviewed by Laura Hitchcock on December 1. |
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