Mundane Musical
"Danny and Sylvia" at MetroStage
Elsewhere across the Potomac, American Century Theater is also represented with a revival of Danny and Sylvia, the musical it premiered earlier this season that’s now being presented by MetroStage in Old Town Alexandria. The relationship between entertainer Danny Kaye (Brian Childers) and Sylvia Fine (Janine Gulisano), his “Mama Rose”-ish wife who pushed him to succeed, seems like fine fodder for musical theatre.
Childers and Gulisano are certainly appealing performers. (Both were nominated for Helen Hayes Awards for these roles, and Childers won in his category.) But the book — more history lecture than engaging narrative — and banal, bad-rhyme-heavy lyrics by Bob McElwaine are exceptionally disappointing. The music by Bob Bain is also rudimentary and uninspired, making the show a slight diversion that needs to go back to the drawing board.
Through July 28th at MetroStage, 1201 North Royal Street in Alexandria. Tickets are $30. Call 703-548-9044. Visit www.metrostage.org.
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