'Snapshots' worth a second look

Stephen Schwartz could have done things the easy way.

To create “Snapshots: A Musical Scrapbook,” Schwartz's musical/revue hybrid running at Skokie's Northlight Theatre, the composer/lyricist could have cobbled together some well-known tunes from “Wicked,” “Working” and “Pippin,” shoehorned a narrative and called it a day.

But he didn't.

Instead Schwartz selected songs from his lesser-known musicals like “The Baker's Wife,” “Children of Eden” and his 1997 CD “Reluctant Pilgrim.” He reworked the tunes, revised some lyrics and paired them with a book by David Stern to create a mostly new show about a middle-aged, Middle American couple looking back on their lives and discovering that after several decades together, they've drifted apart.

For eschewing the jukebox musical formula, Schwartz earns a hearty huzzah. Those kudos extend to his songs comprised of hummable, pop-infused music and perceptive lyrics performed by an earnest, extremely able sextet led by Susie McMonagle and Gene Weygandt.

Although it's not in quite the same league as “Jersey Boys,” “Million Dollar Quartet” and “Ain't Misbehavin,'” the enjoyable “Snapshots” is a notch above the typical jukebox tuner. Credit for that rests with Schwartz's music and artful song pairings. A verse here, a chorus snippet there, all of it punctuated by the occasional reprise, make this recycled score interesting. Frankly, hearing these tunes (several of which live on in the cabaret repertoire), is like reuniting with old pals. Among the highlights is the combination of the poignant “Lion Tamer” from “The Magic Show,” about a girl yearning for a guy's attention, with Elphaba's “I'm Not That Girl” from “Wicked.” Schwartz also delivers an emotional one-two punch by pairing “Fathers and Sons” from “Working” with “Father's Day” from “Children of Eden.”

Director Ken Sawyer's production also benefits from the casting of McMonagle and Weygandt as longtime marrieds Sue and Dan; along with the charismatic Megan Long, Nick Cosgrove, Jess Godwin and Tony Clarno, who play various versions of the couple's younger selves. Much of the success rests with the performers' vocal prowess, evident in the fervent “Corner of the Sky” from “Pippin” and the gorgeous “Meadowlark” from “The Baker's Wife,” which concludes the first act.

The show opens with Sue (the always watchable McMonagle) preparing to leave her husband Dan (Weygandt), who she has known since they were 12 years old. As she exits the attic (Jack Magaw's looming, pitch-roofed set filled with memory triggering treasures), suitcase in tow, she upsets a box of photographs. Dan's arrival interrupts her cleanup and prompts a stroll down memory lane where scenes from their life together play out in flashbacks beginning with the adolescent encounter between Susie (Long) and Danny (Cosgrove) and progressing through young adulthood as realized by Susan (Godwin) and Daniel (Clarno).

That said, the subject — a marriage in crisis — is familiar; its outcome predictable. And the show — whose savvy music direction comes courtesy of Steve Orich — flirts with sentimentality. And yet, “Snapshots” contains some moving moments, as evidenced by those audience members who dabbed at their eyes as the second act concluded. Most of those moments are supplied by McMonagle and Weygandt, whose unfailing honesty keeps the sappiness at bay. That's especially true for Weygandt, who late in the show delivers a moving reprise of “Pippin's” “With You” that in lesser hands might come across as merely contrived.

Moments like that make “Snapshots” worthy of more than a passing glance.

“Snapshots”

★ ★ ½

<b>Location: </b>Northlight Theatre, North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie, (847) 673-6300, northlight.org

<b>Showtimes: </b>7:30 p.m. Thursday; 1 and 7:30 p.m. Wednesday; 8 p.m. Friday; 2:30 and 8 p.m. Saturday; and 2:30 and 7 p.m. Sunday through Oct. 23. Also 7:30 p.m. Oct. 11; no 7 p.m. show Oct. 2 and 9

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

<b>Tickets: </b>$30-$50

<b>Parking: </b>Free parking in lot adjacent to theater

<b>Rating: </b>For teens and older