42nd St. Moon's "Minnie's Boys"


Madcap? Wacky? Well, it is about the Marx Brothers after all.

Routine Disclaimer: I do marketing work for 42nd St. Moon, including being their BlogMaster. In addition, I know the director and some of the cast members personally, including some upon whom I will heap praise in a minute.

The Top 5 Reasons to See Minnie's Boys:

5. If you've ever heard the lovely little tune, Mama, a Rainbow performed by some tenor milking it for all it's worth, then Kalon Thibodeaux's simple, heartfelt, conversational rendition will touch you all the more. Yes, it did bring a tear to my eye...but not a tear I resented later! (OK, maybe it's just me, but when I cry, but feel manipulated into the crying...it really bugs me.)

4. Two fabulous guys who pop in and liven up the joint with star turns: my buddy David Curley and Brian Yates Sharber. After an opening number that sets the scene, introduces you to a bunch of characters and does all that other good, expository stuff you need...David blasts onto stage with his trademark energy and joie de vivre and performs Rich Is, later joined by all the Marxs. It's exactly the shot in the arm you need after the exposition, and the amusing patter of the song gets your brain ready to take in the rapid-fire hijinks that will follow in the show. Brian Yates Sharber plays the unfortunate female impersonator whose act is hijacked by the Brothers early on. Brian has a lovely smooth voice and had me in stitches with his "show must go on despite the chaos" single-mindedness. I've been on stage when costume pieces fell off or the wrong prop or sound effect is there, and we all just keep that big old smile plastered on our face and persevere, just like Brian's poor Maxie.

3. The Marx Parents: First, Darlene Popovic's down-to-earth and believable Minnie. Oh, it would be so easy to push this character right over into stereotype. (As I hear Shelly Winters did in the original Broadway production.) The Jewish mother with the laying on of the guilt trips and the "oh, don't you worry about me" martyrdom. Darlene really avoids going that route, which is much appreciated. Not only appreciated, but it's really the only way Minnie can be the object of Mama, a Rainbow, or sing They Give Me Love herself and have it be remotely affecting. Many times during the show the role of Minnie reminded me of the dramatic musical powerhouse role of Mama Rose. I think that may be even more in the way Darlene played it than in the way it's written. Not to be overshadowed by the powerhouse Popovic or the madcap Marx Brothers, Michael Patrick Gaffney is a strong, quiet presence as their father: Frenchie. His solo number, Empty, also provides some of the surprising heart that Minnie's Boys delivers. Without moments such as the three ballads mentioned in this paragraph the show might make you laugh, but it would out of your head the moment you walked out of the theatre. By infusing these characters with heart and humanity, via these simple, touching ballads, the show sticks around and puts a little meat on your bones.

2. Michael Austin pulling off the biggest challenge of all. Even I, an admitted Marx Brothers neophyte, know Groucho Marx and have an image in my mind about what he's like. To go for the mannerisms without making it mannered....it's a tough job. I've seen Michael play supporting roles in 2 other 42nd St. Moon shows this season, but seeing him in those roles wouldn't have really prepared me to see him turn on the rapid-fire delivery and comic timing of Groucho Marx. Along with the physical mannerisms (and the fact that he actually does look somewhat like a young Groucho) Michael succeeded in evoking Groucho's memory, without making a mockery of it! Great job.

1. Which brings me to reason #1. Seeing some of what the Marx Brothers might have been like in action. LIke I said, not a Marx Brothers aficianado. Don't think I've ever seen a single one of their movies in full. And I don't normally think of myself as someone who likes "wacky" humor. I often don't enjoy sensory overload on stage. But the Marx brother routines/bits, as staged by Greg MacKellan, really help you appreciate what they were doing. Call it controlled chaos. I'm sure those scenes had to have been rehearsed within an inch of their lives to achieve that chaos and clarity all at once.

I'm not sure Minnie's Boys has the kind of score/book that would stand on its own without some fairly unique performers to pull it off and a strong director to rein them all in. It's not surprising it hasn't become a regional theatre staple. Whether you're a big Marx Brothers fan or not Minnie's Boys has something for you to enjoy.

See Minnie's Boys and get 20% off tickets. Details here.

Posted: Mon - April 4, 2005 at 09:34 AM       EmailFeedback

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