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Lightweight musical is predictable
(by Herb Hammer - February 04, 2009)
THEATER, BY HERB HAMMER
Lightweight musical is predictable
A poorly crafted, lightweight musical comedy has come to the 14th Street Theatre in downtown Cleveland. It's not the first, nor will it be the last we'll see of these fly-by-night shows in the smaller venues in Playhouse Square.
The show "I Love You Because" is a six-character -- we could have done with four -- bit of fluff. Sadly predictable and formulaic, it becomes tedious.
But if you look beyond the dullness and around the flimsy plot, there may be something there. There better be. The show runs for three more months.
Joshua Salzman's music, where it comes together, which is rarely, has some nice, tuneful moments. Ryan Cunningham's lyrics generally advance the plot, and, if you're into cute, he gives you plenty of that. He also wrote the script.
The story revolves around Austin, a 20-something greeting-card writer, a little geeky but likable. Austin enters his girlfriend Catherine's room only to find her with another man. His life is a shambles. He's destroyed.
Austin's brother Jeff insists that Austin get back into the New York dating scene. Austin meets a girl in a bar, and, well, you know the rest.
His brother Jeff, the jerk of all jerks, at least that's the way Matt Lillo plays him, easily gets together with another girl, and that, believe it or not, is that.
Now, we know where we're going. Just how do we get there?
Austin's new girlfriend, Marcy -- well, she's not his girlfriend yet -- is a perky photographer. These two are the perfect mismatch but not as mismatched as Jeff and his lovely new friend Diana.
Diana gives Marcy reams of friendly advice, while Jeff advises Austin. Diana is an actuary. Jeff apparently does nothing.
After so many scene changes and since the set never changes, you're not always sure where you're supposed to be. Yet somehow these very likable people make the best of it and manage to keep their audience involved.
Corey Mach, who plays the nerdy Austin, has a certain charm, the same charm he had in "Harold and Maude," his most recent local play.
As his girlfriend, Marcy, Jessica Cope has an amazing talent for singing, whether it's in her upper or lower register. It's too bad the songs aren't challenging. As for her acting, she never finds out what the real Marcy is supposed to be, and neither did I.
Jodi Dominick, as Diana, is a bright light in a small-minded script. She's another who just goes along for the ride.
Kyle Primous and Ursula Cataan are nameless, and, while they sing occasionally, they help move the furniture around.
Victoria Bussert directs and keeps thing lively. It's not her fault that the title song sung at the finish is so creepy.
Certain audiences like these brainless kinds of musicals, and there is a bar in the lobby that helps keep everyone happy. But not happy enough.
The theater has a flat floor, an incurable problem, and audiences have to peak through the space between the people in front of them to catch the action. You must be extremely tall to see the entire stage, and then there are the people behind you.
Another problem is basketball night. Last Friday, the Cavaliers were causing traffic jams all around downtown. Many didn't make it to the play on time.
The entrance to the theater is up front. Late comers blocked the action as they entered. Holding the curtain would have helped, but, for reasons we're not aware of, the show started on time, creating a troubling distraction, as many of the late comers walked in, smack in front of the show.
But you do get through the evening unscathed, and, who knows, you may like it.
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