BROADWAY SNAP-SHOT
by Russell Bouthiller

Dateline: March 26, 2007

CURTAINS

The familiar show-within-a-show set-up takes center stage at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre in CURTAINS, an original new musical that warmly embraces just about every show-biz cliche ever invented. With a book by Rupert Holmes, multi-Tony-winner for his THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD, this murderous comedy makes it to Broadway after years in development and the loss of two creative principals.

CURTAINS marks the return to Broadway of composer John Kander and lyricist Fred Ebb, the legendary duo that launched such classics as CABARET and CHICAGO. The 1998 Broadway revival of the former played over 2300 performances and the revival of the latter is still running after eleven year. Both made it to the silver screen and both brought home big chunks of Oscar gold. America loves Kander and Ebb.

One of several later collaborations that have yet to hit Broadway, CURTAINS has been kicking around the provinces for a number of years. The project hit an obstacle with the loss of the original book writer, Peter Stone, in 2003. The death of lyricist Fred Ebb followed in 2004. Holmes replaced Stone and, after Ebb's passing, joined Kander in providing additional lyrics.

CURTAINS follows the zany antics of a theatre troop in the midst of disastrous "Destry Rides Again" styled musical called "Robbin Hood of the Old West." During the show's Boston out-of-town-try-outs, the talent-deficient leading lady, Jessica Crenshaw (Patty Goble), suffers sudden death at the curtain call. The director, Christopher Belling (Edward Hibbert), suggests "Shall we observe a moment of silence... the way the audience did during Jessica's opening number?"

Well there's murder afoot and the star-struck detective, Lieutenant Frank Cioffi (David Hyde Pierce), means to get to the bottom of things. Cioffi gathers clues while scratching his itch for the theatre, readily shifting from shrewd investigator to arm-chair impresario. As for his list of suspects, we get a full line-up in the rousing company number, "Show People."

Pierce crafts a character who is so darn loveable, you simply have to root for the guy and, consequently, the show itself. Pierce's infectious charm carries you through tart set-ups and pithy dialogue and his budding romance with ingenue Niki Harris, played by the lovely Jill Paice, only makes him more adorable.

Fellow headline Debra Monk plays Carmen Bernstein, the no-nonsense producer who spins flops into gold. With her architectural hairdo and expensive wardrobe, she makes for quite the genuine article; only, this time, you actually like her. Monk has a shining moment in the second act with her deliciously bawdy "It's a Business."

Tony-winner Karen Ziemba offers her veteran dexterity as the show-within-a-show's lyricist and replacement leading lady, Georgia Hendricks. Jason Danieley is her misunderstood love-interest, Aaron Fox, who delivers Kander's touching paean to his late partner in "I Miss the Music." And, Edward Hibbert deservedly gets all of Holmes's best lines as the curt Christopher Belling.

Scott Ellis, the show's real director, guides this screwy company with style and panache, managing to keep a somewhat wobbly first act on track and letting out all the stops in the second. Set designs by Anna Louizos keep the backstage drama well framed and costumes by William Ivey Long are conspicuously perfect. CURTAINS, good clean fun with a touch of murder.