Interludes

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Sutton Foster sparkles brightly in The New Group’s perfectly competent revival of SWEET CHARITY

• By drediman
• December 5, 2016
• No Comments

Sutton Foster leads The New Group’s revival of “Sweet Charity” at The Pershing Square Signature Center

I’m convinced that Sutton Foster can do almost anything. Over the years since her breakout star turn in the Tony-winning Thoroughly Modern Millie nearly fifteen years ago, Ms. Foster has proven that she’s the very model of the ideal Broadway star – irrepressible, versatile, and always up for a challenge. Now, she bravely tackles the famous role of Charity Hope Valentine in a revival of Sweet Charity not under the bright lights of Broadway, but under a microscope of a scrappy little production very much in the Off-Broadway mold courtesy of The New Group at The Pershing Square Signature Center.

And she’s utterly inspired in the role, sparkling at least as brightly as her illustrious predecessors in the role – no less than the legendary Gwen Verdon and Shirley MacLaine in the Broadway and film versions, respectively. What makes Ms. Foster’s Charity so endearing is her ability to be absolutely emotionally transparent (her aching work in Violet no doubt prepared her well in this regard) without sacrificing any of the goofy quirkiness that musical theater lovers associate with the dance hall hostess who just can’t get a break. The show’s delicate and bittersweet ending is handled gorgeously by Ms. Foster in a piece of acting that transcends merely great musical theater; she let’s us into the depths of Charity’s soul only to find ourselves there. Ms. Foster is supported by a small but talented cast. As Charity’s socially-challenged love interest, Shuler Hensley gives a disarming, charismatic performance. In the roles of her jaded dance hall colleagues Nickie and Helene, Asmeret Ghebremichael and Emily Padgett are just about ideal. Joel Perez does a swell job in a number of small character parts (he had the same assignment in the late, great Fun Home).

Despite the strong cast, the production around them fails to register beyond being merely competent. The production is directed by Leigh Silverman in a straightforward, no frills manner that borders on indifference (perhaps a small budget had something to do with this?). Even the choreography by Joshua Bergasse (his work is typically excellent) in this dance-heavy show looks under-rehearsed and under-thought at times. Nevertheless, this is Ms. Foster’s show, and boy, she’s giving a sensational mega-watt performance as Sweet Charity.

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SWEET CHARITY
Off-Broadway, Musical
The New Group at The Pershing Square Signature Center
2 hours, 20 minutes (with one intermission)
Through January 8