It Shoulda Been You

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IT SHOULDA BEEN YOU

Photo: Joan Marcus

Cititour.com Review
Has David Hyde Pierce missed his calling? Of course, as we know from his many years on “Frasier,” and such theatrical triumphs as “Curtains,” and “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike,” Pierce is a brilliant comic actor. But his behind-the-scenes work on the new crowd-pleasing musical “It Shoulda Been You,” now at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre, reveals new facets of this multitalented man’s talents.

Yes, his staging of this farcical tuner about a decidedly less-than-ordinary interfaith wedding is quite fleet. But more importantly, his casting of the show is absolutely impeccable; the baker’s dozen of actors who inhabit this familiar-to-many world simply couldn’t be bettered. Indeed, this cast provides the kind of alchemy that turns even the most sitcom-like material of the piece (co-written by Pierce’s husband, Brian Hargrove, musical collaborator Barbara Anselmi, and a host of contributing lyricists) into its own kind of theatrical gold.

Wisely, the show’s writers have given all 13 of these 14-karat performers lines they can deliver with perfect precision. Just listen to the great Tyne Daly as uber-Jewish mother Judy Steinberg hurl insults to anyone in her way with perfect timing or revel as the peerless Harriet Harris (as waspish WASP mom Georgette Howard) stings Daly with a series of acid-tongued barbs.

True, the charming David Burtka and the gorgeous (and gorgeous-voiced) Sierra Boggess are a bit underused as goyishe groom Brian and not-so-beaming bride Rebecca, but they make all of their big moments count. Josh Grisetti is positively delightful as Rebecca’s former boyfriend, Marty, who comes to the wedding (uninvited) with motives of his own, while Pierce’s former “Frasier” cohort Edward Hibbert is at his martini-dry best as practically clairvoyant wedding planner Albert.

As we say in Hebrew, Dayenu! But wait, there’s more, including the hilarious Nick Spangler as dim-bulb best man Greg and the gloriously-throated Montego Glover as co-maid-of-honor Annie, who are hilarious in their duet, “Love You to the Day.” Then, add in the always delicious Chip Zien as Judy’s long-suffering husband Murray, Michael X. Martin as Brian’s slimy dad George, and the invaluable Anne L. Nathan and Adam Heller, both of whom double in wildly diverse roles with consummate skill.

And best of all is Lisa Howard, a superb singer-actress who actually has the show’s largest role as the Rebecca’s kind-hearted, super-organized, overweight older sister Jenny. Howard deserves every award possible for this bravura turn, which is full of heart and heartache!

Admittedly, the show is far from a lavish affair, with a smallish Broadway orchestra, minimal choreography by Josh Rhodes, one fairly basic if well-designed hotel set by Anna Louizos, and a few choice costumes by William Ivey Long. But with so much talent on stage, who needs a Viennese table? You’ll be full long before these entertaining 100 minutes are over!
By Brian Scott Lipton


Visit the Site
http://www.itshouldabeenyou.com

Cast
Sierra Boggess, David Burtka, Tyne Daly, Montego Glover, Josh Grisetti, Harriet Harris, Lisa Howard, Edward Hibbert, Michael X. Martin, Anne L. Nathan, Nick Spangler, Chip Zien

Open/Close Dates
Opening 4/14/2015
Closing 8/9/2015

Preview Open/ Preview Close Dates
Preview Opening 3/17/2015
Closing Open-ended

Box Office
877-250-2929

Theatre Info
Brooks Atkinson Theatre
256 West 47th Street
New York, NY 10036
Map



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