American Psycho
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Cititour.com Review
The sum isn’t equal to all the (body) parts in “American Psycho: The Musical,” the dressed-to-overkill adaptation of Bret Easton Ellis’ novel, now playing at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre. Unquestionably, there’s no denying the many assets (and asses) on display here, most notably Rupert Goold’s visually stimulating flash-and-slash direction (aided immeasurably by the equally clever set designs of Es Devlin, lighting of Justin Townsend, and video design of Finn Ross).
Goold’s chief weapon, however, is Benjamin Walker, whose chilling performance as the stone-faced and mostly semi-clad serial killer Patrick Bateman turns out to be a remarkable addition to his already impressive body of work and which provides a much-needed touch of humanity to this tortured, and torturing, soul.
Ultimately, though, neither book writer Roberto Aguirre-Sacassa nor composer-lyricist Duncan Sheik, talented as they are, can find a consistent tone for this rather odd material, which careens from a rather obvious satire of the excesses to the late 1980s to a quasi-Dostoveskyian examination of a diseased mind. Laughter too quickly turns to shock, and sometimes to schlock, during these 2 ½ hours. And, as with Ellis’ book, one is left a little dazed -- and purposely confused -- by the show’s ambiguous and somewhat unsatisfying end.
For his part, Sheik, best known as the composer of “Spring Awakening,” has put together some authentic 80s-sounding songs, most notably, the catchy “You Are What You Wear” – -- which lists more fashion designers than the average issue of “Vogue.” -- sung by Patrick’s annoyingly shallow fiancée Evelyn (an effective Helene Yorke) and snobby best friend Courtney (a very good Morgan Weed). But his efforts seem diminished by the artistic team’s decision to include some actual 1980s songs; you are more likely to recall the one chorus of Tears for Fears’ “Everybody Wants to Rule the World,” movingly sung by Patrick’s sweet-natured secretary Jean (a well-cast Jennifer Damiano) or the ensemble’s stunning rendition of Phil Collins’ “In the Air” than any of the original songs. And seriously, why cast the amazing Alice Ripley (in a variety of roles, but primarily Patrick’s mother), if you can’t write a single tune worthy of her gifts?
As for the men who play Patrick’s colleagues, they actually do quite a bit with the little they’re given, especially Drew Moerlein, properly pompous as the obnoxious Paul Owen, Theo Stockman, suitably sleazy as Timothy Price, and Jordan Dean, duly pathetic as the closeted homosexual Luis Carruthers. (They also deserve bonus points for being willing to shed Katrina Lindsay’s period-appropriate duds at the drop of the proverbial hat.) But their characters are all fairly one-dimensional.
With all its flaws, some viewers will have a really good time at “American Psycho.” But, if you ask me, the show is truly nothing to die for.
By Brian Scott Lipton
Visit the Site
http://americanpsychothemusical.com
Cast
Benjamin Walker, Alice Ripley, Jennifer Damiano, Helene Yorke, Drew Moerlein
Open/Close Dates
Opening 4/21/2016
Closing 6/5/2016
Preview Open/ Preview Close Dates
Preview Opening 3/24/2016
Closing Open-ended
Box Office
212-239-6200
Theatre Info
Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre
236 West 45th Street
New York, NY 10036
Map
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