Reviewing theater from Broadway to the Fringe since 1994
As America continues its slide into something unrecognizable to the country’s Founders, there may be no better break from reality than the nostalgic and highly entertaining national touring production of The Music Man, playing this weekend at the historic Hanover Theatre in Worcester.
The Longwood Players have created a sensitive, thoughtful production of a tenacious, challenging play.
Although the script lags in places (the plot is thin on action overall), there are dazzling moments, such as the stormy scene that sends our four survivors onto a lifeboat for six days. Lost at sea with no provisions or refuge from the scorching sun, their songs focus on hunger, hopelessness and horrible sins they would consider committing if it guaranteed they would stay alive.
Something Rotten! delivers pure joy, and it’s something we could all use a little bit more of.
