If/Then
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Cititour.com Review
Here she is boys (and girls), here she is world, here’s Idina! If there’s any question how much Broadway audiences have missed the presence of Idina Menzel, the once-and-forever Elphaba (and currently animated Elsa), just listen to the deafening entrance applause that greets the star’s first moments in the new Tom Kitt-Brian Yorkey musical “If/Then” at the Richard Rodgers Theatre. And if by some chance, you’ve never been able to differentiate Idina Menzel from say, Adele Dazeem, you’ll nonetheless be on your feet 2 ½ hours later, in awe of Menzel’s stunning vocal pyrotechnics, emotional commitment, and sheer stamina –all of which could result in the star earning a second Tony Award.
But here’s the bad news: “If/Then” isn’t “Gypsy”. Nor is it Kitt and Yorkey’s flawed but fascinating musical, the Pulitzer Prize-winning “Next to Normal.” In fact, I’m not completely sure what propelled these talented men to create such a surprisingly repetitive, dramatically muddled show. Do we really need to be reminded -- over and over (and over and over) -- that life is a series of split-second decisions, random encounters, and taking chances, and that we should live in the here-and-now. As the kids say: duh!
Fortunately, the show’s creators have put the ultra-appealing Menzel center stage to make us care (at least somewhat) about the ultimate fate of Elizabeth, whom we first meet as a late 30something, recently divorced woman who has returned to New York City (minimally if cleverly evoked by Mark Wendland’s scenic design). Almost immediately, Kitt and Yorkey bifurcate the character into two “different” women: Beth, who gains great career success as an urban planner but never finds romance, and Liz, who flounders in her career (primarily as a teacher) but who finds true love with Josh (a rather low-key James Snyder), a returning Army vet and doctor who impulsively picks her up in the park.
Which story is being told isn’t always clear, and director Michael Grief and lighting designer Kenneth Posner’s apparent plan to help us by using blue lights (for Beth) and red lights (for Liz) is neither consistent nor overly illuminating. Further complicating the issue is that Liz’s three best friends show up in both stories: her college pal, bisexual urban activist Lucas (Anthony Rapp, practically reprising his schtick from “Rent,” in which he played opposite Menzel); sassy next-door neighbor Kate (a sensational, scene-stealing LaChanze), a lesbian kindergarten teacher; and Kate’s girlfriend Anne (Jenn Colella, welcome but criminally underused).
Indeed, the biggest signposts of which tale we’re watching are the presence of Stephen (the stalwart Jerry Dixon), a former flame of Beth, who becomes both her boss and thwarted love interest, and David (the adorable Jason Tam), a doctor friend of Josh’s who becomes Lucas’ life partner – but only in Liz’s story.
No matter the circumstances, though, Kitt and Yorkey make sure Menzel has plenty of chances to live up to our expectations by belting out a series of similar-sounding and similar-themed pop-theater ditties with such titles as “What If,” “Learning to Live Without,” and “Always Starting Over” with amazing aplomb.
Fortunately, Kitt and Yorkey do give some of the other players the occasional turn in the spotlight (such as Snyder’s touching ode to fatherhood, “Hey Kid,” and LaChanze’s infectious “It’s a Sign”), although the smallish ensemble (which features some of Broadway’s brightest lights like Joe Cassidy, Curtis Holbrook, and Ryann Redmond) barely gets any opportunities to really register.
Strangely enough, one of the show’s more memorable songs is called “No More Wasted Time.” Happy as I am to witness Menzel’s triumphant return to the Great White Way, it’s a sage piece of advice I wish everyone involved in “If/Then” had actually followed.
By Brian Scott Lipton
Visit the Site
http://ifthenthemusical.com
Cast
Idina Menzel, LaChanze, Anthony Rapp, James Snyder, Jerry Dixon, Jenn Colella, Jason Tam, Tamika Lawrence
Open/Close Dates
Opening 3/30/2014
Closing 3/22/2015
Preview Open/ Preview Close Dates
Preview Opening 3/5/2014
Closing Open-ended
Box Office
212-719-1300
Theatre Info
Richard Rodgers Theatre
226 West 46th Street
New York, NY 10036
Map
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