|
IF/THEN Send This Review to a Friend
An ultimately annoying musical, “If/Then” has going for it the vocal prowess of Idina Menzel. But the back and forth—if this happened, or if that might have happened—begins to grate, especially since none of the characters, including that of Elizabeth, played by Menzel, is especially interesting. They’re there to flesh out Brian Yorkey’s rather tedious book.
The score, with music by Tom Kitt, is on the banal side, with only a few good numbers that stand out. What can you say about Yorkey’s lyrics when one of the highlights is Menzel singing a song that thrives on the word f--k?
The plot involves the life, loves and tragedy in the life of Elizabeth, who becomes a city planner. The concept involves the idea that life can go this way or that way, depending on the choices one may make. It isn’t a deep idea, but it serves to have the plot bounce around, with Elizabeth’s friends getting into the ifs as well.
There are no what ifs about the casting—all members do well. LaChanze performs entertainingly as Elizabeth’s friend Kate, who is in love with Jenn Colella as Anne. The men include Anthony Rapp, James Snyder, Jerry Dixon and Jason Tam. There is too much going on for too long, and into the second act, the characters pretty much have worn out their welcome. Menzel comes through with a strong singing stint, which would be a good moment to end, but then we get a dose of plot resolution.
The two-tier set design by Mark Wendland fits with the busy doings of the show. There is a vast ceiling mirror idea, and the upper portion is crowded with trees, but not much use is made of that section. Supporting cast members tend to wander around the stage, in some cases with a distracting effect.
But Director Michael Greif usually knows how to focus on the greatest asset—his star--even though the plot with which he has to deal provides a challenge. At the Richard Rodgers Theatre, 226 West 46th Street. Phone: 877-250-2929. Reviewed April 3. 2014.
|