Last Sunday I attended a concert presentation of the 1978 Public Theater/Broadway musical RUNAWAYS, an experimental revue about runaway teenagers filled with monologues, confessional solos and some pretty great upbeat numbers. I myself was once in a production of it at theater camp in 1998. As such, I was one of few attending the concert who actually knew the show inside and out. Speaking of theater camp, a friend of mine from there was also part of the concert cast. He even dyed his hair green for the occasion. The material was somewhat "updated" by Rodney Hicks, though the bulk of it still plays very well and powerfully. But could it be produced again? Where? It couldn't work commercially, to be certain. How about a revival at say New York Theatre Workshop or The New Group?
Following FOLLIES at Encores, which made many accuse the revered series of selling out by producing a revival of a show that is constantly produced professionally, Encores has retreated to the long-forgotten treasure trove of musical theater in producing FACE THE MUSIC, a 1930s revue with songs by Irving Berlin and a book by Moss Hart. John Rando, who most recently made news by accusing regional theaters of copying his staging of Urinetown, provides a decent, if underinspired staging. His cast, which includes Judy Kaye, Eddie Korbich, Walter Bobbie and Meredith Patterson, is perfectly fine for the occasion. The cast's weakest link was Rick Cromm, who clearly had not made an attempt to memorize his lines. FACE THE MUSIC also marks a return to Encores for conductor/music director Rob Fisher, who left his post there two years ago.
The production closes Sunday. If you're around, I highly recommend it for good clean, old-fashioned musical comedy fun.