42nd’ to none
The stage version of “42nd Street” debuted in 1980, but don’t let that fool you. This musical, which opens Friday at the Coeur d’Alene Summer Theatre, is rooted firmly in the Great Depression.
This Broadway smash is based on the 1933 movie, one of the classic MGM musicals. The story is set in New York in the early ‘30s and every song in it has become strongly identified with that contradictory decade.
It was the worst of times economically, yet in Hollywood it was the cheeriest of times, in part because people needed to be cheered.
And that’s exactly what the classic Harry Warren-Al Dubin songs accomplished. Songs don’t get much happier than “We’re In the Money,” with its optimistic verse: “We’re in the money, that sky is sunny / Old Man Depression, you are through, you done us wrong.”
Well, Old Man Depression wasn’t quite through, but it certainly was pleasant to think so back in 1933.
The movie version of “42nd Street” was a Busby Berkeley musical replete with dancing girls, elaborate costumes and massive production numbers. The plot was a simple backstage drama about a girl from Allentown, Pa., named Peggy Sawyer, who has big Broadway dreams. Just when she thinks those dreams are shattered, they are revived to the tune of “The Lullaby of Broadway.”
That now-familiar standard makes perfect sense in “42nd Street.” The girl from Allentown is thinking about heading back home, a failure, until someone starts singing that siren call to the bright lights: “Come on along and listen to, the lullaby of Broadway, the hip hooray and ballyhoo, the lullaby of Broadway.”
The movie version featured Ruby Keeler, Dick Powell and Ginger Rogers. When it was made into a stage show in 1980, the stars were Tammy Grimes and Jerry Orbach (yes, the same Orbach of “Law and Order”).
It was a huge production, with a cast of 54 and 750 costumes. It was conceived, in fact, as an over-the-top reaction to the stripped-down musicals of the era, such as “A Chorus Line.”
The production had its own backstage drama as well. Director Gower Champion became ill during rehearsals. He died on the day the show opened, and his death was announced to the stunned crowd during the curtain call.
In the Coeur d’Alene Summer Theatre’s version, Peggy is played by Meghan Bayha and Christopher Moll plays Billy Lawlor. Todd Hermanson plays Julian Marsh, Julie Powell plays Dorothy Brock and Cherie Price plays Maggie Jones.
The multitalented Price also doubles as the choreographer in this tap-heavy dance show. Stan Foote is the director and Deborah Hansen is the musical director, presiding over a 14-piece pit orchestra.