Photo courtesy Act One, Too LTD
By Unsie Zuege

I can’t believe I had never seen the movie classic “42nd Street,” or a stage production of “42nd Street.” But in a sense I have. The story line of a small town girl coming to the big city to seek her fortune and make her dreams come true is timeless. It’s the Horatio Alger story of hopefulness and optimism with a little bit of luck thrown in. It’s the American dream.

The Chanhassen Dinner Theatres (CDT) just opened “42nd Street” on its main stage. The show is an sensational, finger snapping, and tap dancing feel good tonic. The timing of the “42nd Street” launch couldn’t be better. It’s just the thing for those “end of winter blahs” and “will spring ever get here blues.” And let’s not even talk about the state of the world, the price of oil, the war in Iraq, and eight more months of political campaigning.

Instead, head over to CDT and lose yourself in the quintessential girl makes good story. If you are like me and you’ve never seen “42nd Street” before, here’s a quick CliffsNotes version.

Broadway impresario and producer Julian Marsh (David Brinkley) is about to open a new musical called “Pretty Lady.” He’s been in the business so long, he can’t help but feel a little cynical, a little old, a little bitter. And it doesn’t help that he has to pander to the egocentric and tempestuous leading lady Dorothy Brock (Michelle Barber). Dorothy is demanding, petty, and let’s be honest, not the dancer she once was.

In the meantime, small town ingénue Peggy Sawyer (Jodi Carmeli) arrives in New York City with stars in her eyes, tap shoes on her feet, and barely a dime in her pocketbook. A fortuitous meeting with a handsome Broadway dancer named Billy Lawlor (Tony Vierling) leads to a job in the chorus line of “Pretty Lady.” But as fate would have it, Dorothy breaks her ankle on opening night. Oh no! Will the show close? No! The show must go on. And because Peggy is the best dancer—even the other chorus line dancers agree—she must take Dorothy’s place. The show’s success all depends on her. Will she do it? Can she do it? And will Julian’s faith in theatre’s wonder and magic be restored.?

“42nd Street” originated as a Warner Brothers movie in 1933 and introduced songs that have become standards—“42nd Street,” “Shuffle Off to Buffalo,” “We’re In The Money,” and “Lullaby of Broadway.” In 1980, the movie was brought to the stage and was a hit on Broadway.

CDT’s “42nd Street” set underscores the mood of the 1930s and the Great Depression with its striking and stark black and white cityscape and costuming. Period hair styles, monochromatic shades of black, white and gray in clothing, shoes, and hats reflect the muted mood of the times.

The public took respite from the Depression in theaters and movie houses, and the staging and costumes of “Pretty Lady” subsequently reflect that yearning for fun and beauty. Bright happy colors, glittery gowns, elegant coat and tails, combined with upbeat songs, tap dancing, and showy extravagance provide the aspirational eye candy the public craved.

“42nd Street”
Music by Harry Wareent, lyrics by Al Dubin, book by Michael Steward & Mark Bramble. Based on the novel by Bradford Ropes.
Who: Directed by Michael Brindisi and produced by Tom Scallen. Starring David Brinkley, Jodi Carmeli, Michelle Barber, Tony Vierling and Janet Hayes-Trow. Choreography by Tamara Kangas, music direction by Tom Mustachio, set design by Nayna Ramey, costumes by Rich Hamson.
Where: Chanhassen Dinner Theatres, main stage
When: Through July 26
Tickets: www.chanhassendt.com or 952-934-1525