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Writing for us
A CurtainUp Review
Slut
By Eric Beckson
Andy Karl & Mary Faber in Slut
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Living for one night stands, the handsome Adam (Andy Karl) breaks up the budding romance between his shy doctor friend, Dan (Jim Stanek) and the whiny rock musician, Delia (Jenn Colella). Like the love triangle plots of other musicals I've reviewed for CurtainUp recently (Dr. Sex andThe Great American Trailer Park Musical), the story is more of a thinly outlined sketch drawn for comedic opportunities and brassy, unmemorable songs. In the case of Slut, the comedy is often superb due to a very talented cast.
Ironically, the main characters are the least entertaining because they are so unappealing and the least comedic (with the exception of some of Adam's amusing lyrics). Delia is perpetually annoyed, like an older sister forced into baby sitting her spoiled younger brothers. But who does she expect to meet when her nightlife consists of bar hopping and performing in an unoriginal, grating rock and roll band on the Lower East Side? Adam, a pure hedonist, hasn't an ounce of kindness needed to keep his paws off his nerdy friend's one and only girlfriend. And Dr. Dan feels so sorry for himself after he's rejected for a post doc that his neediness masquerades as love for Delia.
To the rescue is an immensely talented and funny cast of minor characters. Stealing every scene in which he appears is David Josefsberg (who most recently originated the role of Abraham in Altar Boyz). As a slut wannabe, J-Dogg, and smarmy record producer, Buddy Pendleton, Josefsberg brings terrific comedic timing to every line and gesture. In "J-Dogg's Lament," he evokes a youthful Dr. Pangloss as he clutches his crotch with comedic shame and disgust.
Harriett Foy, as Lilly, is superchargedwith charisma and self assuredness. In her show stopper, "Lower the Bar," and in her convincing role as bartender, she anchors the show like a den mother with star quality. She is the one saucy female amidst a throng of freaky white chicks. Whenever a newcomer enters the bar and says hello to her, she greets them with a line such as "Well slap my behind with an egg salad sandwich."
Kevin Pariseau brilliantly portrays several comic roles, including Doug, the drunk, the Sea Captain that sails around the world with Adam, and Janey's Father, who with Foy, portray the hilariously embarrassing parents at Janey's wedding. The mortified Janey (who is part of the girl band led by Delia) is played by the beautiful and talented Amanda Watkins. Rounding out the band is Veronica, played by another beauty, Mary Faber. Her additional role is entitled "Yesterday's News," a disposable character who wakes up in bed with Adam, leading to his first song, "I'm Probably Not Going To Call."
The scenic design is very challenging since the plot takes us from a dive bar in the East Village to the Roslyn Harbor Country Club on Long Island to apartments on the Upper West Side, Murray Hill, and the Lower East Side, a nightclub, Paris, Kazakhstan, a radio station, and on board a sailing ship named HMS Donkey Balls. Beowulf Boritt's bright and brilliant design is inventive and adaptable. At center stage are many back-lit shelves of liquor bottles flanked on either side by several doors and exposed brick. The bar itself turns into a bed, a stage, and even a boat.
There's quite a lot of talent and hilarious moments in Slut, but the formulaic youthful cast, flimsy characters, inconsequential plot, vulgar language, overamplified songs, comedic gags, unsustainable love triangle, and sentimental ending suggests that writers are visiting the same discount muse.
| SLUT Book & Lyrics by Ben H. Winters Music & Additional Lyrics by:Stephen Sislen Directed by Gordon Greenberg Choreograhy by: Warren Carlyle Cast: Andy Karl (Adam), Mary Faber (Yesterday's News, Veronica), Kevin Pariseau (Doug, Sea Captain, Janey's Father, etc.), Harriett D. Foy (Lily, Janey's Mother, etc.), Amanda Watkins (Janey, etc.), David Josefsberg (J-Dogg, Buddy Pendleton, etc.), Jim Stanek (Dan), Jenn Colella (Delia) Scenic Design by: Beowulf Boritt Lighting Design by: Jane Cox Costume Design by: Anne Kennedy Sound Design by: Peter Hylenski Running time: 2 hours 10 minutes with one intermission The American Theater of Actors 314 W. 54th St. 212-239-6600 Through November 13th Tickets: $55 Reviewed by Eric Beckson based on September 30th performance |
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Musical Numbers
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Act One
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Act Two
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