There was symmetry—not at all accidental, I’m sure—to Pioneer Theatre Company beginning its season with A Chorus Line and ending with 42nd Street. Both musicals were shows about theatrical life, about people struggling to make a living out of entertaining an audience. And both productions showed why we should support them.
Like the 1933 movie musical on which it was based, 42nd Street comes with the kind of paper-thin, underdog-makes-good premise just strong enough to support the various musical numbers. Peggy Sawyer (Lea Kohl) is a young, would-be hoofer just off the train from Allentown, Pa., hoping to make it as a chorus girl on Broadway. Director/producer Julian Marsh (Dennis Parlato) is putting together a brand-new musical, and Peggy might get a chance at joining the ensemble. Or, she might get an even bigger break, if bad luck befalls aging star Dorothy Brock (Beth Glover).
If the humming of the older audience members around me is any indication, plenty of folks will be delighted simply to hear the Harry Warren/ Al Dubin classics that fill the score: “I Only Have Eyes For You,” “Shuffle Off to Buffalo,” “We’re in the Money,” the title song and more. And the vocal performances are solid. But the real joy comes from the astonishing group dance numbers like the audition opener—choreographed by PTC’s brilliant Patti D’Beck—that send the sound of tap shoes ricocheting through the theater. The pure theatrical pleasure of the dancers’ work is a reminder of what makes artists’ efforts worth supporting.
42nd Street @ Pioneer Memorial Theatre, 300 S. 1400 East, 801-581-6951, through May 8, $30-$49. PioneerTheatre.org
Speaking of The Essentials
-
Brandon Mull: Beyonders
Thursday April 14 @ The King’s English Bookshop
- Apr 14, 2011
-
The Perfect Fit
Through April 3 @ Kimball Art Center
- Mar 31, 2011
-
Utah St. Patrick's Day Celebrations
On Saturday, March 12, the Hibernian Society of Utah's traditional Salt Lake City downtown St. Patrick's Day parade winds through the Gateway from 400 West and 200 North beginning at 10 a.m. ...
- Mar 11, 2011
- More »
More by Scott Renshaw
-
Film Reviews: New Releases for April 19
The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, Abigail, The Beast, Hard Miles, Sasquatch Sunset and more
- Apr 19, 2024
-
Faces of Salt Lake County book and portrait reception
Images and personal stories in a new book reveal local demographic diversity
- Apr 17, 2024
-
Feature film review: THE BEAST
A filmmaker's compelling ideas get a bit tangled in references to his creative influences.
- Apr 17, 2024
- More »
Latest in Entertainment Picks
Readers also liked…
-
THE ESSENTIAL A&E PICKS FOR MAR 14 - 20
St. Patrick's Day, Bored Teachers Comedy Tour, Downy Doxey-Marshall: Bloom and Laura Sharp Wilson: Gilding the Lily: A Choreography , and more.
- Mar 13, 2024
