Interludes

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Encores! revival of CABIN IN THE SKY is a joyous, if curious, affair

• By drediman
• February 14, 2016
• No Comments

I just got back from Encores! revival of Vernon Duke and John Latouche’s forgotten 1940 musical Cabin in the Sky at City Center, and boy, is it joyous stuff. The original production, which was the first Broadway musical to be entirely directed by the great George Balanchine (the founder of the revered New York City Ballet and inarguably the greatest choreographer of the 20^th century), closed at the then Martin Beck Theatre after only 156 performances. Given Lynn Root’s silly and contrived book, that’s no big surprise. Cabin in the Sky is a curious blend of Carousel, Guys and Dolls, and Purlie about a man (Little Joe, played by Michael Potts in an excellent, grounded “everyman” performance) given a second shot at salvation that doesn’t quite gel. No matter – that’s not why we ultimately come to Encores! for. We come to hear those Broadway scores played and sung as they were meant to be heard, with a full orchestra and a talented cast. Thanks to music director Rob Berman (and his excellent players) and a top-notch company, Duke and Latouche’s work sounded as sumptuous and joyous as any Broadway score I’ve heard in recent memory.

Director Ruben Santiago-Hudson does well to keep the action moving and the focus on the irresistibly catchy score. Choreographer Camille A. Brown does Balanchine proud by generating narrative heat through movement, particularly given the book’s weakness. In many ways, it’s Ms. Brown’s thrilling and inspired choreography that holds the whole evening together. Now to the star-studded cast; what a knockout they were. As the angel and devil on Little Joe’s shoulders, Norm Lewis and Chuck Cooper were perfectly cast, giving delicious performances and, not surprisingly, they sounding like a dream. As Little Joe’s beleaguered wife, LaChanze was an absolute joy to behold – her trademark openness (in both singing and acting) and good natured earthiness worked brilliantly in the role of a woman who’s wholesome and sensual all at once. As LaChanze’s seductive femme fatale rival, Carly Hughes looked and sounded like a million bucks and just oozed sexuality. The last performance is tonight. I urge you not to miss it.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

CABIN IN THE SKY
Off-Broadway, Musical
Encores! at New York City Center
2 hours, 15 minutes (with one intermission)
Through February 14