THE SHOW MUST GO ON: CURTAINS

F. J. Hartland

What happens when a stage-struck detective is called in to investigate the murder of the leading lady during the out-of-town try-out for a musical headed to Broadway?

Naturally, he solves the murder…and fixes the show!This is the backdrop for Curtains, the Kander and Ebb musical currently playing at CLO.  It’s really a Kander and Ebb valentine to show business and the musical theatre.

With its “show within a show” premise (a silly rip-off of Oklahoma! called Robbin’ Hood), Curtains is a big old-fashioned, fun-filled musical comedy “whodunit,” filled with intrigue, romance…and murder.

Malcolm Gets is absolutely charming as Lt. Frank Cioffi, the lonely homicide detective who spends his yearly vacation performing in community theatre.  Despite an on-again-off-again Boston accent, Getz proves himself a real song-and-dance man with his delightful singing voice and smooth dance moves.

Sally Struthers is in top-notch form as the wise-cracking producer Carmen Bernstein.  She delivers the show’s funniest lines.  At one point Gets had to hold…and hold…and hold for the audience to stop laughing at one of her zingers.  (My favorite line, however, was the one dealing with her daughter’s taste in clothes, make-up and men!)

Rob Sutton makes a memorable CLO debut as composer Aaron Fox.  His moving rendition of the love ballad “I Miss the Music” was a stand-out.

As stage director Christopher Belling, Stuart Marland plays comic high camp—and rivals Struthers for the number of stinging one-liners.

J Branson’s set is perfect in creating both the looks of the “backstage” scenes as well as the glossy look of a frothy 1950’s Broadway musical.  Likewise, lighting by John McLain in on the money.

Act One is sheer bliss—funny, full of energy and leaves you wanting more.Things tend to get bogged down in Act Two—though it’s not the fault of director Charles Repole or his very talented cast.  The book just seems to sag.

Curtains does save some surprises for the end.  Not only does Cioffi catch the killer—there is another twist that I won’t spoil for you.  But I can tell you, it took me by complete surprise.

And kudos to the technical staff of Curtains.  Other than a few late microphone pick-ups, this was the smoothest CLO opening night I can re-call.

After the somewhat ponderous Oliver! and the less-than-perfect Miss Saigon, CLO has really hit its stride this season with Curtains. 

If you like murder mystery, romance and/or big, old-fashioned musicals, don’t miss Curatins, playing through June 27.