Review: Theatre by the Sea's '42nd Street' Will Leave You Smiling

Rounding out the 91st season at Theatre by the Sea is another show-within-a-show, "42nd Street," which continues this year's very welcome celebration of splashy musical theater.

The 1980 Broadway hit ran for nine years and won the Tony Awards for Best Musical and Best Choreography. Based on the 1932 book by Bradford Ropes and a 1933 film adaptation, this look at the process of making a Depression-era Broadway hit ticks all the right boxes for light and breezy, but visually stunning, entertainment.

Director Jessica Wockenfuss, who interned at TBTS in 2008 and returned as Roxie Hart in 2018's "Chicago," brings a welcome and very deft hand to the proceedings, including replicating the original Broadway production's choreography by Randy Skinner. [Special mention to dance captain Mallory Davis (Lorraine) who appeared in this show's national tour, for keeping the dance numbers at their eye-popping best.]

But the core of "Street" is the cast, and this one boasts some greats. Broadway veteran Patrick Ryan Sullivan lends his booming voice to Julian Marsh, the blustery and temperamental producer/director of "Pretty Lady," a musical guaranteed to be a hit. After all, he's got another temperamental actress in his cast, Dorothy Brock (Merrill Peiffer, delightful, brash and very funny), who has a following from way back. He's also got the young Billy Lawlor (the adorable Ashton Lambert, clearly enjoying his scene-stealing turns), and the chorus girl he didn't know he needed, Peggy Sawyer (the bright and cheery Laura Guley. Boy, can she dance!).

As Peggy crashes her way into an audition that is nearly over, she's swept aside by Marsh and Andy Lee (local actor Kevin Patrick Martin, just as comfy in tap shoes as he was in Captain Von Trapp's uniform from last month's "Sound of Music") until she makes friends with the girls in the line, including the very funny Kat Gold as Maggie Jones (who delighted us also in "Music"). The girls discover that Peggy not only has traveled from Allentown, PA, but has a not-so-secret admirer in Billy.

As Peggy is added to the line, she's good but very nervous and breaks Dorothy's ankle in a dancing accident, and, in great musical comedy tradition, she's the only one who can save the show by taking over. Marsh whips her into shape with the support of her friends (after all, it's the Great Depression and everyone needs work), and what do you know? It just may work out for all.

It's easy to see why the musical did so well: It's filled with excellent choreography, bright and colorful costumes, and a snappy score that will seem familiar to many. The snappy tunes and dance numbers truly shine, especially "We're in the Money" and "Getting out of Town" where the thin plot of Dorothy's Sugar Daddy (Beau Allen) clashes with her secret love, Pat Denning (John Reed).

You won't do anything but smile, tap your feet, clap with enthusiasm, and thoroughly enjoy your evening out.

"42nd Street" runs through September 15 at Theatre By The Sea, 245 Cards Pond Road, Wakefield, RI 02879. For information or tickets call 401-782-8587 or visit www.theatrebythesea.com.