Review: "The Honeymooners: A New Musical Comedy" Papermill Playhouse. Milburn, NJ

[ChrisTV]

Review: "The Honeymooners: A New Musical Comedy" Papermill Playhouse. Milburn, NJ.

Performance: Sunday afternoon, October 29, 2017 (Next to final performance)

Let me start by saying that I have been seeing shows at The Papermill Playhouse for 30 years.
I never once complained. Never once. The productions are Broadway quality. Always!

Even after reading critics, everyday folks, fans, and us Gleason super-fans' reviews, I was a still cautious.

With that said, I had been looking forward to this show ever since Alan Menken was tied to it, some 20 years ago.
Once the curtain went up, I had a smile on my face THE ENTIRE TIME. Laughed my butt off & yes, even cried.
All because everyone associated with this show DID THEIR HOMEWORK!

I really mean that. THEY DID THEIR HOMEWORK!
From the script writers details to the Lost Episodes to the familiar lines of the Classic 39.
From the costumes to the GORGEOUS sets.
From the small details & actors mannerisms to to the overall big picture & the truly - TRULY - surprise ending.
With a hysterical running gag, dozens of references & classic bits thrown in, the show takes you on a familiar but wonderful new adventure.
I WAS ASTONISHED!

I went with friends of mine, who are big fans that know the Classic 39 backwards & forwards, but have never seen the Lost Episodes.
Details from the Lost Episodes are just as big a focus as the Classic 39.
In fact the Lost Episodes are more important to the overall plot. The Classic 39's are where the bits & pieces are filled in from.
After the show, at dinner, I had to explain to my friends the Lost Episodes info.
We discussed that it is this that could be what prevents this from reaching Broadway.
I do believe that with some story tweaking & obvious song rewrites needed, this really could become a big Broadway hit.
To me, the show is in need 2-3 toe-tapping, show-stopping numbers.
The songwriters got the details perfect, and the songs are really good, but not long-lasting, Broadway good.
Perhaps it being a seasonal show from Thanksgiving to Valentine's Day, may be the best way to keep this afloat.
I thought the best song was “Faciamatta Commercial” - Trixie and Cavalcade Ensemble. I really laughed!
Oh and by the way, this show really lets the character of Trixie shine.

CAST:
Michael McGrath: Ralph Kramden
Michael Mastro: Ed Norton
Leslie Kritzer: Alice Kramden
Laura Bell Bundy: Trixie Norton
Lewis J. Stadlen: Old Man Faciamatta

MUSICAL NUMBERS:
ACT ONE:
“Going Places” -- Ralph (Michael McGrath) and Bus Drivers
“King of the Castle” -- Ralph and Norton (Michael Mastro)
“Eighty-eight Keys” -- Alice (Leslie Kritzer)
“Undeniable”-- Trixie (Laura Bell Bundy) and Norton
“The Madison Avenue Line” -- Freddie (Britton Smith), Ralph, and Bus Drivers
“Upshaw and Young” -- Streb (Chris Dwan), Gray Flannelers, Secretaries, Ralph, and Norton
“Infine la Felicità” -- Faciamatta (Lewis J. Stadlen), Bennett (Lewis Cleale), Ralph, Norton, Streb, and Gray Flannelers
“Trixie’s Audition” -- Trixie and Francois (Kevin Worley)
“Toast of the Town”-- Ralph, Alice, and New York Society

ACT TWO:
“To the Moon”-- Ralph and Alice
“You’re One of Our Kind” -- Bennett and Norton
“Keepin’ It Warm” -- Trixie and El Morocco Ensemble
“Love Gone Down the Drain” -- Norton and Sewer Workers
“The Raccoon Hymn” -- Ralph and the Raccoons
“A Woman’s Work” -- Alice
“I’ll Miss the Guy”-- Ralph and Norton
“Faciamatta Commercial” - Trixie and Cavalcade Ensemble
“Baby, You’re the Greatest” -- Cavalcade Host (Michael L Walters), Ralph, Alice, Norton, Trixie, and Ensemble

I will scan the Playbill & share those pics here soon.

*****Spoilers ahead*****
If you don’t want to know the plot.
“Get up and walk out!"
If you want to know, PM me.



Ralph and Ed enter a jingle contest for Faciamatta's Mazzeroni cheese.
With the jingle a hit, they are asked to become songwriters &
expand the jingle to a 3 minute commercial to air during "Cavalcade of Stars."
Ralph & Ed quit their jobs, rent a piano and the show rides from there.

Did I mention there is a surprise ending?

With out giving too much away, here are the stand out episodes that are referenced:

Lost Episodes:
"Stand-In For Murder" 4/17/54
"Box Top Kid" 5/22/54.
"Songwriters" 12/11/54.

Classic 39:
"$99,000 Answer"
"The Golfer"

If you know the surprise ending, please do not post it here.
Thanks!

[ChrisTV]

.

[ChrisTV]

.

[Frank Gannucci]

Nice to know that Joyce Randolph had her picture taken. Thank you for the pics and review.

[ChrisTV]

.

[Frank Gannucci]

Here's a New York Times article

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/04/t...and-dance.html