By Brian Scott Lipton . . .
Like it or not, the so-called “jukebox musical” has become a staple of New York City theater and shows no signs of disappearing. The latest example, Rock & Roll Man, now at New World Stages under the direction of Randal Myler, seems designed for audiences who might find A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical too progressive or even intellectually challenging, focusing instead on the early rock hits of the 1950s lovingly re-created by a group of talented performers.
At least, that’s how it feels for much of this two-hour piece, even though the show’s ostensible focus is on the legendary DJ Alan Freed, who coined the term rock n’ roll, brought interracial dancing to the forefront of America and became a household name and film star before eventually getting caught up in a “payola” scandal and succumbing to self-pity and alcoholism before his untimely death.
Given that the show’s producers have enticed Broadway star Constantine Maroulis to play Freed, one might expect him to feel like the show’s center. But he almost seems like a side note in the awkward script by Gary Kupper, Larry Marshak and Rose Caiola—in which Freed’s life story is recalled, in bits and pieces, through a truly weird dream where he’s on trial (in the court of public opinion!) with friend Little Richard (a deliciously flamboyant Roderick Covington) as his defense attorney and longtime enemy J. Edgar Hoover (a blustery Bob Ari) as his prosecutor. Sadly, at times, the hard-working, sincere Maroulis seems to have been hired mostly for his ability to quickly change sport jackets! (The show’s effective costumes are by Leon Dobkowksi.)
As with most bio-musicals, the show sorta-kinda sticks to the facts of Freed’s life. He does have a loving daughter Alana (the sweet-as-pie Anna Hertis), but only a brief mention is made of his son. Freed was married three times, but we only see one wife named Jackie (Autumn Guzzardi)—even though none of his wives were named Jackie.
Further, it’s hard to know how fast and loose the script plays with Freed’s two most important relationships—with nerdy Cleveland record shop owner Leo Mintz, who helps turn Freed into a national celebrity, and threatening New York City music bigwig (and reported gangster) Morris Levy, who ends up “corrupting” Freed and then abandoning him. In a stroke of near-genius, both men are colorful played by Emmy Award winner Joe Pantoliano (in a rare stage outing) who steals every scene he’s in.
While Kupper has crafted a handful of numbers to showcase Maroulis’ powerhouse voice—including the title tune—they blend in uncomfortably with all the vintage numbers. (In fact, you may not even be sure which ones are original!) Worse yet, none of them give listeners half the thrill of hearing Maroulis’ singing something like “This is the Moment.”
Still, or all its many flaws, Rock & Roll Man will satisfy viewers who long to hear (and “see”) the early hits of the genre. Covington, who never lets us forget that Little Richard was the “innovator” of rock ‘n roll, delightfully struts his way through such landmark hits as “Lucille,” “Tutti Frutti” and “Good Golly.” (And a quick moment he shares with Pat Boone, who covered “Ain’t That a Shame,” is hilarious.)
Former Tony Award nominee Valisia Lekae (Motown the Musical) lights up the stage every time she appears as R&B great LaVern Baker, and the one-named Jamonte is superb as teen heartthrob Frankie Lymon (whose promising career was cut short by drugs). Meanwhile, Dominique Scott, Eric B. Turner and Andy Christopher also make fine contributions.
Still, the finest number in the show—musically and dramatically—is the haunting 1933 ballad “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes” by Jerome Kern and Otto Harbach. Here, of course, it’s performed as it was in 1959 by The Platters—gorgeously—as the backdrop to the disintegration of Freed’s marriage.
It was the only time throughout the evening, fittingly, I shed a tear . . . or even felt slightly moved.
Rock & Roll Man. Open run at at New World Stages – Stage 3 (340 West 50th Street, between Eighth and Ninth Avenues). www.neworldstages.com
Photos: Joan Marcus
