THE HANGOVER REPORT – The York Theatre Company’s charming revival of ENTER LAUGHING is stubbornly old-fashioned

Raji Ahsan, Farah Alvin, Chris Dwan, and David Schramm in "Enter Laughing" at the York Theatre Company. Photo by Carol Rosegg.

Raji Ahsan, Farah Alvin, Chris Dwan, and David Schramm in York Theatre Company’s production of “Enter Laughing” by Stan Daniels and Joseph Stein. Photo by Carol Rosegg.

Last night, I saw the York Theatre Company’s Off-Broadway revival of Enter Laughing. Over the years, the York – which is now embarking on its milestone 50thanniversary season – has become closely linked with spunky, mostly inspired productions of many types of musicals. New works, cherished classics, and forgotten gems of the past have all found a cozy home in the York’s subterranean home in Midtown East.

To acknowledge its history, the York has chosen to revive one of its most successful productions, Enter Laughing, Stan Daniels and Joseph Stein’s musical about the madcap adventures of David Kolowitz, a perpetually girl-crazy young man who aspires to be a stage actor. Although the musical was initially a flop when it – in the guise of the title So Long, 174th Street – originally premiered on Broadway in 1976 (running only a scant 16 performances and starring Robert Morse), the folks at the York have managed to unlock the charms of the piece’s stubbornly old-fashioned style and construction.

The secret? Director Stuart Ross and his deliciously talented and committed cast (including an hilarious cameo by artistic director James Morgan) simply make believe they’re performing in a musical theatre masterwork. This intense belief puts over Mr. Daniels’ catchy score and Mr. Stein’s book (based on the book by Carl Reiner) with panache that belies some of the work’s less inspired, more cloying stretches. Leading the cast in the role of Davis is the youthful, comically-gifted Chris Dwan (his delightful physicality reminds me of a young Bill Irwin). Rounding out the cast are some New York theater veterans (e.g., Alison Fraser), as well as some of today’s big-voiced musical theater talents (e.g., Farah Alvin).

RECOMMENDED

 

ENTER LAUGHING
Off-Broadway, Musical
The York Theatre Company
2 hours, 20 minutes (with one intermission)
Through June 23

Categories: Off-Broadway, Theater

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