Around the Clock 1906

54 Below is known for its seemingly endless variety of themes as happy reasons to group songs from musical theatre. Here's another, looking at some shows that came to the Marquis, starting in 1986. There were over 30 musicals that played the Marquis Theatre, and nine were revisited with songs and stories at 54 Below.

Fifteen years after its first production of the musical, Musical Theatre West revisits the Tony Award-winning musical RAGTIME for only its second time---smartly reviving the musical in a similarly lavish production that beautifully converges the show's classic staging and vibe with wonderfully integrated 21st Century tech upgrades that help elevate the material rather than hinder its storytelling. Under the enlightened direction of Paul David Bryant (who also provides the production's high-energy choreography), this brand new, spectacularly engrossing production bellows with an emotional fervor and is one of my favorite iterations of this musical I have seen in recent years. This local revival---which continues performances at the Carpenter Center for the Performing Arts in Long Beach through February 23, 2020---is a feast for the senses.

THE SECRET GARDEN needs a good dose of Miracle-Gro to overcome a lack of vitality. A beautiful, lush score is weighed down by the sluggishness of the tale and static direction. The company has the vocals to do justice to the music and several performers shine, but this garden has a dearth of color.