Review Roundup: BELLS ARE RINGING

By: Nov. 19, 2010
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Encores! presents Bells Are Ringing through November 20 at New York City Center. Bells Are Ringing is directed and choreographed by Kathleen Marshall with music direction by Rob Berman, has music by Jule Styne and book and lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green, and stars Kelli O'Hara and Will Chase.

In Bells Are Ringing, a lonely young woman can't help getting involved in the lives of her answering service clients. When she falls for a man she has met only by voice, classic 1950s mayhem ensues. The score, by turns brassy, sweet and romantic, includes "Just in Time," "The Party's Over," "I Met a Girl," "Long Before I Knew You" and a fistful of other great tunes from one of Broadway's greatest tunesmiths. The original production opened at the Shubert Theater on November 29, 1956, and played a total of 924 performances. The entire original production was directed by Jerome Robbins; dance and musical numbers of the original production were staged by Jerome Robbins and Bob Fosse. The show won Tony awards for its stars Judy Holliday and Sydney Chaplin.

Ben Brantley, NY Times: When last heard from on a Broadway stage, in the blissful 2008 revival of "South Pacific," Kelli O'Hara exultantly and repeatedly told the world, "I'm in love with a wonderful guy." This weekend at City Center, in the somewhat-less-blissful Encores! concert production of "Bells Are Ringing," Ms. O'Hara proclaims in her opening number, "I'm in love with a voice." Having heard both these declarations, I can now say with confidence that if Ms. O'Hara chose to sing that she had fallen in love with a desiccated turnip, I would believe her unconditionally.

Elisabeth Vincentelli, NY Post: Some doubted that Kelli O'Hara ("South Pacific") could pull off the central role of Ella Peterson, a busybody who works for an answering service and meddles in her clients' lives. Ella has been associated with zany comediennes like Judy Holliday and Faith Prince, and that's just not O'Hara's image.

Mark Kennedy, Associated Press: This production, which closes Sunday, is ably directed and choreographed by Kathleen Marshall, who has drawn out all the winsomeness of her cast. There are a few funny scenes, particularly the Fosse-esque hip-swiveling "Mu-Cha-Cha" dance number and the moment when a subway car filled with annoyed-looking New Yorkers show they have heart in "Hello, Hello There!"

Linda Winer, Newsday: For most of world history, "Bells Are Ringing" has been remembered (if anyone thinks about the minor 1956 musical comedy at all) for three identifying markers: "The Party's Over," "Just in Time" and Judy Holliday. After the 2001 Broadway revival, some of us added actress Faith Prince to the short list of significant memories of the show.

Michael Sommers, New Jersey Newsroom: Lately the star of "South Pacific," lovely Kelli O'Hara is more of a leading lady than a clown like Holliday, but she gamely gambols through Ella's Miss-Fixit business and touchingly sings "The Party's Over." A relaxed Will Chase smoothly partners O'Hara as the baritone voice Ella comes to love. Their exuberant square dance with the ensemble in a subway car during "Hello, Hello There" looks particularly joyful.

 


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