BROADWAY SNAP-SHOT
by Russell Bouthiller

Dateline: May 10, 2005

SWEET CHARITY

Making a speedy recovery from her out-of-town injury, sitcom star Christina Applegate makes it to Broadway just in time for a Tony nomination. Playing the lovelorn dance-hall hostess, Charity Hope Valentine, the perky young blonde kicks up her heels and chirps out a tune with all the gusto of an actress striving to redefine herself.

Let's face it, Charity never had an easy time of it, so why should Ms. Applegate? She came onto the scene as the waifish prostitute, Cabiria, striving to find a better life in Federico Fellini's classic, "Nights of Cabiria." Then, she was re-christened to suite the anglo-audience for the original Cy Coleman/Dorothy Fields/Neil Simon production that immortalized by Gwen Verdon.

The inimitable Bob Fosse put his stamp on that Broadway production and, later, directed the motion picture starring Shirley MacLaine. MacLaine never came close to stealing the role away from Verdon, but she did borrow it quite nicely and she is the Charity most folks remember.

So, with two legends snapping at her heels, out-of-town closing notices, a broken foot and a phalanx of New York critics sharpening their quills to do in yet another TV diva with Broadway aspirations, Christina Applegate has her work cut out for herself. But, thanks to a score that is chock-o-block full of standards, exhilarating choreography by Wayne Cilento and the star's give-it-her-all approach, the bubbly blonde from Tinsel Town pulls it off admirably.

"If My Friends Could See Me Now," "I'm a Brass Band," and "I'm the Bravest Individual" are certainly numbers that illustrate character as well as accelerate the plot. Indeed, the songs display an ironic reflection of what's been happening offstage as well. For all those who said she couldn't do it, there she stands with infectious vivacity insisting that we see her now. Well, not only do we see her now, so does the Tony board. Such bravery commands respect and earned her a nomination, to boot.

Supporting players Janine LaManna and Kyra da Costa spice up the stew as fellow dance hall hostesses, Nickie and Helene. Their rooftop number with Charity, "There's Gotta Be Something Better Than This," is one of the show's best and a fine example of Cilento's choreography skills. Having to compete with Fosse is a daunting task and his efforts have also been noticed by the Tony team.

Denis O'Hare plays Oscar, Charity's love interest who gets a severe case of the jitters when he learns of her true profession. In fact, O'Hare takes this jittery approach to the furthest degree imaginable with appropriate comedic pay-off. The affable Ernie Sabella is the slippery dance hall proprietor Herman who gets to redeem himself nicely with the "I Love to Cry at Weddings" number.

Set designs by Scott Pask invoke the psychedelic Sixties as do the smooth and silky costumes by William Ivey Long. Brian MacDermott's lights give the star an added glow. Walter Bobbie's direction blends the elements quite nicely. SWEET CHARITY, a valentine for its tenacious star.