Cheers is Live On Stage but Better on TV

Last summer, thanks to Netflix, I watched all eleven seasons of the iconic sitcom Cheers. They were even more entertaining than I remembered and often had me laughing out loud. From the romantic escapades of Sam and Diane, to the quips of Coach, Norm, Carla and Cliff, each season had wonderful character growth. The actors became synonymous with their roles. Later additions of Woody, Fraiser, Lilith, and Rebecca allowed the show to evolve in ways many other sitcoms could only dream to do. Even modest fans likely know these characters, as well as every word to the classic theme song.

With Cheers Live on Stage, now running at The Broadway Playhouse here in Chicago, audiences get a retelling of four episodes from the show's long run. It opens with the pilot, where we first meet Diane (Jillian Louis) and the gang. We see how she is both charmed and irked by Sam (Grayson Powell) and the other patrons. After being abandoned by her fiancé, she eventually accepts a job at the Boston pub. As the show progresses, we meet Coach (Barry Pearl), Carla (Sarah Sirota), Cliff (Buzz Roddy) and Norm (Paul Vogt), whose storylines in these episodes merely support the progression of Sam and Diane's eventual romantic relationship.

There were clearly two big challenges in staging this show. For adapter, Erik Forrest Jackson, it must have been selecting the episodes. There are so many that stand out. For avid fans, this selection may not have been the best. And for the actors, the obstacle had to be figuring out how to inhabit roles so finely crafted by the original stars. Some come close while others tend to fall flat.

Where the sitcom excelled, the stage version falls short. Cheers the television show was a wonderful blend of actors who knew just how to play the humor - with subtly and nuance. Cheers Live On Stage plays for the laughs, often with heavy handed delivery and intention. Understandably there is a need to adjust for the stage versus the screen, but you only have to recall that (as they say at each show open), "Cheers was filmed before a live studio audience."

Louis does the best work with her Diane. She finds a nice balance of Shelley Long's quirky vocals and mannerisms, while adding her own touches of comedy to this delicious role. Powell's Sam comes up short, as he seems more like the straight man who just helps advance the story. His portrayal is missing the charm and sly wit that make this character likeable and amusing. The chemistry between this version of Sam and Diane is lacking from the beginning and never really develops.

Pearl as Coach is a delight and his comic timing is the best of the bunch. A bit more spry than the original, Pearl's performance shows off his physical comedy and improv skills (as witnessed on opening night). Sirota has some nice moments as Carla, but comes across a little too big at times. The wry delivery that makes her one liners some of the best in the show tends to go missing.

As barflies Norm Peterson and Cliff Clavin, Vogt and Roddy do a fine job of recreating this duo. Roddy as the postman full of questionable facts fairs a bit better. He skips pure imitation and gives a nicely tuned version with just hints of the original. Vogt, greeted by the audience on each entrance with "Norm!", isn't quite as solid. He occasionally lacks an ease of delivery that prevents his jokes from landing.

Michael Carnahan's set is a wonderful recreation with exemplary detail. I felt like I stepped right on set as I entered the theatre. In addition to this dose of realism, some audience members portray bar patrons throughout the show. Other ticket holders are escorted on stage during intermission, get seated at the bar, and enjoy beverage while snapping photos.

Michael McDonald's costumes are spot on throw backs to 80's fashion.

Clearly I am a true fan of the original television series. I tried my best to set that aside when I took my seat. But with each passing scene, I wondered what the purpose is behind staging a beloved sitcom. Is it for the fans? Is it to introduce new audiences to these characters? Or is just hope for a money maker? For this fan, I'm going to stick with my Netflix reruns. That's the bar where I want to go - where everybody knows your name.