The High Life: The Formerly Gay Musical
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When The Gay Life opened on Broadway in 1961, the majority of theatre-goers probably still interpreted the title as meaning joyous and elegant, especially as it pertained to the musical's locale of 1904 Vienna. But time has antiquated that definition and those who license rights to perform the show have altered its name to The High Life in order to avoid confusion. (Except perhaps for a few stoners who might have been expecting the musical version of Reefer Madness.) But gay or high, this champagne cocktail of a musical by Arthur Schwartz (music), Howard Dietz (lyrics) and Fay & Michael Kanin (book) is just the kind of overlooked charmer that Musicals Tonight! does so well.
Based on Arthur Schnitzler's popular 1893 play, Anatol, The Gay Life lasted a mere three months on Broadway, despite the presence of Barbara Cook, Jules Munchin and Tony-nominated Elizabeth Allen. Some say the heavily-accented Italian film actor Walter Chiari, making his Broadway and musical comedy debut, was not the best choice for the leading role, and with so many top-flight and/or star-driven musicals around at the time, The Gay Life, despite a charming score and a funny book, was lost among the competition.
The lady-loving playboy Anatol (Paul Jason Green) has decided he's ready for a wife. ("I'm finished with love. I'm going to get married.") His best friend Max (Doug Shapiro) has a younger sister, Liesl (Jenni Barber) who has always had a crush on him an seems the perfect candidate. But it's not until the innocent frau stands up for herself and demands fidelity from her fiance' that Anatol truly begins to love and respect her.
Though the score produced no hit songs, it's a perfectly charming mixture of traditional Broadway and operetta. The book and lyrics are often quite clever and sentimental without getting syrupy.
In the leading roles, Paul Jason Green has a pleasant light baritone and a nice, laid-back manner as the young cad, Anatol. Jenni Barber has a lovely traditional Broadway soprano and a charming humor as the ingenue trying to be seen as a woman. Doug Shapiro, in the juicy role of Max, get the funniest lines and delivers them with cracker-jack timing. His rich singing voice is featured in some of the score's cleverest numbers. As a variety of Anatol's lovers, Barbara McCulloh is a delicious vixen. (Gentlemen -- if you sit on the aisle, watch out for her!)
Thomas Mills, who has been directing for Musicals Tonight! since the company's inception, stages the show with his usual brisk tempo and straightforward style, giving the audience a sense of what the show could be like in a full production. The chorus sounds terrific under music director James Stenborg.
The High Life may no longer be gay, but it's still a delight.
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