Marriott taps into spectacular '42nd Street'

It's easy to laugh nowadays at all the backstage clichés in “42nd Street,” currently playing in a glittering revival at the Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire.

The musical's paper-thin plot of a talented showbiz newcomer becoming a star after replacing the indisposed leading lady has been recycled or reworked in properties ranging from the 1950 Academy Award-winning film classic “All About Eve” to pop star Christina Aguilera's critically panned 2010 film “Burlesque.”

But don't dismiss “42nd Street” until you take it into context. The 1980 hit Broadway musical is derived from 1930s Warner Bros. film musicals like “42nd Street” and “Gold Diggers of 1933,” which codified this Broadway backstage lore for generations of Americans with eye-popping cinematic spectacle by choreographer Busby Berkeley.

“42nd Street” may not be the smartest or best-written of film-to-stage Broadway musical adaptations, but the show's splashy song-and-dance numbers — set to instantly recognizable Depression-era tunes by composer Harry Warren and lyricist Al Dubin — all but guarantee a grand evening of pure entertainment.

“42nd Street” is definitely in the right hands at the Marriott Theatre. Director Rachel Rockwell brings a welcome seriousness that grounds the glib and fragmentary script by Michael Stewart and Mark Bramble (which frequently lifts cliché dialogue from the original 1933 film).

Rockwell is expertly aided by choreographer Tammy Mader, who whips the audience into an applauding frenzy with her tricky tap dance routines in such celebrated songs as “We're In the Money,” “Go Into Your Dance” and the dramatic title number. Mader's work is so impressive that it's almost forgivable when she introduces anachronistic slinky Bob Fosse-style choreography (complete with some bowler hats) for the men in the number “Dames.”

Another minor quibble is Marriott's decision to stick with the 1980 “42nd Street” song list instead of the expanded one for the musical's 2001 Tony Award-winning revival. The latter added or replaced three numbers, including the illuminating Act II number “With Plenty of Money and You” where audiences got to see ingénue Peggy Sawyer perform a star-making tap-dance solo within the context of the make-or-break opening night of the fictional “Pretty Lady.”

But there's still plenty to celebrate in Marriott's “42nd Street,” which features a super-talented ensemble. The cast is in a constant swirl of movement atop Thomas M. Ryan's elevating turntable set while navigating numerous offstage costume changes (lush period outfits by designer Nancy Missimi, which sparkle thanks to lighting designer Jesse Klug's solid work).

The sunny innocence of Kaitlyn Davidson's wide-eyed Peggy Sawyer is a nice contrast to the amusing and surprisingly dramatic haughty imperiousness of Catherine Lord's two-timing leading lady Dorothy Brock. There's also a welcome seen-it-all sarcasm from the veteran performers like Nancy Voigts and Michael Weber as the songwriting duo of Maggie Jones and Bert Barry along with Ericka Mac as the “experienced” chorine Anytime Annie.

Though “42nd Street” leaves open the romantic possibilities for Peggy Sawyer, it's safe to assume that the new star will likely end up with her silver fox director Julian Marsh (a commanding Tom Galantich) rather than the more age-appropriate leading tenor of Billy Lawlor (a lovably conceited Drew Humphrey).

Since Galantich is able to masterfully walk the line between sending up and seriously delivering all of Marsh's dictatorial commands (including the immortal catchphrase “You're going out a youngster, but you've got to come back a star!”), we're all more than happy to see Sawyer start out on a seedier path to showbiz stardom. And that's because practically all the proven elements of the Marriott's “42nd Street” revival are delivered so spectacularly.

<b>“42nd Street”</b>

★ ★ ★ ½

<b>Location:</b> Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire. (847) 634-0200 or <a href="http://www.marriotttheatre.com" target="_blank">theatre.com</a>

<b>Showtimes:</b> 1 and 8 p.m. Wednesday, 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 4:30 and 8 p.m. Saturday, 1 and 5 p.m. Sunday; through May 29

<b>Running time:</b> About two hours and 15 minutes with intermission

<b>Tickets:</b> $40-$48; dinner packages available

<b>Parking:</b> Free lot

<b>Rating:</b> For general audiences