Review Roundup: SUPERMAN in Dallas

The Dallas Theater Center proudly presents IT'S A BIRD...IT'S A PLAN...IT'S SUPERMAN, starring Matt Cavenaugh as Clark Kent/Superman and Patrick Cassidy as arch-villain Max Menken at the Dee and Charles Wyly Theater at the AT&T Performing Arts Center.

With music by Charles Strouse, lyrics by Lee Adams, and original book by David Newman and Robert Benton, the musical based upon the comic strip 'Superman' and originally directed by Harold Prince, DTC's production features a revised book by comic book writer and playwright Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa. DTC Artistic Director Kevin Moriarty directs with choreography by DTC Associate Artist Joel Ferrell.

"IT'S A BIRD...IT'S A PLAN...IT'S SUPERMAN" is a heart-felt story about America's greatest superhero," says Moriarty. "Featuring a stellar cast and fresh material from Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, Superman is both an action-based superhero story and a classic romantic musical comedy for audiences of all ages. It's the once-in-a-lifetime, not-to-be-missed event of the summer," says Moriarty.

Joe Leydon, Variety: So buoyantly lightweight that it practically floats up, up and away, Dallas Theater Center's extensively and inventively revamped "revisal" of "It's a Bird...It's a Plane...It's Superman!" may be just what it takes to elevate the reputation of a semi-obscure Charles Strouse-Lee Adams musical heretofore best known as a cult-fave Broadway flop. A second-chance staging on the Great White Way may be problematical -- DC Comics reportedly maintains a tight grip on its rights to the Superman mythos -- but this new and improved iteration of the show conceivably could become a regional theater staple.

Gary Cogill, WFAA: "Superman, who flies around with charm and innocence, is well-played by Matt Cavenaugh, but his paring with Lois Lane, played by Broadway veteran, Zakiya Young, seems miscast. Her lines are delivered flat and uninvolved. Musically, the best moments happen when everyone is on stage. Artistic director, Kevin Moriarty, has a mountain to climb with the two-and-a-half hour "Superman" because it's musically challenged. The songs are not terribly engaging and the story is slightly schizophrenic - intentionally campy one minute, filled with male-female-angst the next."

Lawson Taitte, The Dallas Morning News: "Zakiya Young exudes sass and sophistication as Lois Lane, and Jennifer Powers as gossip columnist Sydney Sharp nearly steals the show as she noses around Superman's secret identity...As it stands, this Superman is grand entertainment, lavish but light and airy."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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