REVIEW: BROADWAY BY THE YEAR-- 1963

1963 was a year of great change, both nationally and theatrically. Broadway, like America, was growing up and losing its innocence. Sweet, sparkling crowd pleasers like Oliver!, She Loves Me and Tovarich were giving way to more somber pieces like 110 In The Shade. There were also some impressive star vehicles, like Tovarich with Vivien Leigh, Jennie with Mary Martin, and Hot Spot, a musical comedy about the Peace Corps that starred Judy Holliday. Last week at the Town Hall, Scott Siegel ended another season of Broadway By The Year by presenting the Broadway Musicals of 1963, and gave us a taste of the changes musical theatre experienced in a brief twelve months.

As it was the most famous show of the year, Oliver! had the most selections for the evening. Euan Mortan, who once played Oliver and clearly dreams of playing Fagin someday, sang a snake-like "Reviewing The Situation," and later, a truly plaintive "Where Is Love." Julia Murney lead the crowd in a rousing "It's A Fine Life," but stopped the show cold when she belted out "As Long As He Needs Me" without a microphone. If Oliver! is ever revived on Broadway, Ms. Murney should be at the top of the list to play Nancy.

Smaller or less successful shows were given their due as well. Nancy Anderson and Euan Morton sang the sparkling comic duet "Uh-oh" from Tovarich, and Julia Murney sang a tongue-twisting "Don't Laugh" from Hot Spot, which featured dazzling lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. "When I'm In Love," from Sophie, became an showstopping tap duet for Noah Racey and Sara Brians, and the vocal group Toxic Audio, taking a night off from their show Loudmouth, performed Meredith Wilson's "Pine Cones and Holly Berries" a capella.

She Loves Me and 110 in the Shade both featured simple, honest, and emotionally bare music and lyrics, with characters who wear their hearts on their sleeves. From 110, Liz Callaway's bitter lament of solitude, "Old Maid," was remarkably powerful and poignant, and the evening's director Marc Kudisch performed the "Rain Song" from the same show with great strength. Extra lauds must go to George Dvorsky, who stepped in at the last moment for Robert Cuccioli and sang "Gonna Be Another Hot Day" unamplified. He also performed the bouncy "Tonight at Eight" from She Loves Me with wonderful charm and wit, proving himself one of the more versatile (and reliable!) voices on Broadway. Liz Callaway also showed off her impressive range with the popular "Vanilla Ice Cream" from the same show, and Noah Racey performed the title song with lovely panache. (I must confess that my heart leapt when Mr. Racey entered with a headset microphone for this song, but alas, he barely danced at all to the bright music.)

The is edition was also one of the most informal yet, with lots of banter between the performers. In the middle of her brassy and charming "It's A Fine Life" from Oliver!, Julia Murney was interrupted by Euan Mortan, complaining about her put-on Cockney accent. "But you're from Scotland!" she countered, and continued the song. After Stephen Bogardus went up on his lyrics in the first verse of "I'd Do Anything," also from Oliver!, Liz Callaway didn't miss a beat as she asked him, "Would you learn your words?" The cheerfulness and casual atmosphere of the evening made the lyrics of final song, "Grand Knowing You" from She Loves Me, seem perfectly believable and heartfelt towards the audience. It will be a terribly long hiatus until next March brings us The Broadway Musicals of 1929.