Woman of the Year.

"Woman of The Year"

A refreshing old fashion musical.

Robert Massimi.

What Jim Jimirro consistently delivers is a quality production. J2 Spotlight comes to New York City every spring and gives us three quality, old fashion musicals. Set in Theater Two at Theater Row Theaters, your always in for a treat; not only are the stories well directed, but the singing and acting is first rate!

In "Woman of The Year", only done once until now in New York City, we get a powerful news story host, Tess Harding (Janine LaManna) and an everyday cartoonist man, Sam Craig (John Leone) As a cartoonist he takes exception to Tess's observations about cartoons, they meet in what by all indications will be a battle royal. The two wind up falling in love in a boy meets girl, loses girl plot.

Originally opening on Broadway in 1980 starring Lauren Bacall, the show ran for over 700 performances. Written by Peter Stone with music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb, "Woman" would go on to win best musical that year. Oddly, the musical would never be revised, until now.

As co-founder and artistic director, Robert W. Schneider keeps it simple with an underlying opulence. Everything supports this show, nothing over powers it. While LaManna's costumes are outstanding, DW keeps it real with Craig and his pals. While Gerald (Eric Michael Gillett) has a more sophisticated look about him. The lighting too just feeds the mood. It is there but ever so supportive in the show's mood. The choreography never overwhelms on this small stage, until it does. One of the more spectacular scenes all evening was Alexi (Jake Urban) dances a beautiful ballet number with "Happy in the Morning".

In the small cozy theater, props designer Emily LaRosa and scenic designer, Joshua Warner keep it just that, warm and intimate. With the orchestra behind the curtains and out of sight, the audience almost feels that they have been invited into someone's living room to engage in a performance. Resonating as part of the charm, this intimacy gives "Woman" a feeling of a breath of fresh air.

Miles Plant musical direction is steadfast to the "Woman of The Year" when it was on Broadway. Numbers like "Woman of The Year", "The Two of Us", "Who Would've Dreamed", "Happy in the Morning", "The Grass is Always Greener" and "We're Gonna Work It Out" are still standouts. In fact all the songs are catchy and well written, you can leave this musical humming any of the songs performed tonight.

It is not only the music in this production, the humor is also a big part of the performance. Actors often deliver the "business" well in this two hour performance. Stone wrote an equivalent to what you may get in a Neil Simon production... we get the odd balls, the kooky characters and the insanely up tight. Blended together, it is a potpourri of raucous laughs.

Janine LaManna (Kiss Me Kate and Sweet Charity to name a few) was outstanding. Her singing, dancing and acting were deft. Even though a few line blunders, she was a true leading lady. Gillett's performance was memorable as well. He waited on Tess's every need, (much like Hobson in "Arthur"). His comedic timing and acting was an anchor to LaManna steamship performance. Andrew Eckert as Chip, Rebecca Spigelman as Helga and Jake Urban were standouts in their roles. In Leone we get a good, solid performance even though I thought he was out matched by Gillett.

In keeping to its mission statement, J2 Spotlight delivers professional revivals of worthy Broadway musicals. Like many of the great musicals in the 1980's, and there are too many to mention, J2 brings back quality and at the same time puts its signature on a little, not a lot, of a modern spin. I think the company to date has made excellent choices in the shows that they have chosen to produce. In doing so, J2 remains one of my favorite theater companies!