The Emperor Rocks A Jazzy New Groove

"The Emperor's New Clothes" is running now through August 29, 2010 at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater.  With music and lyrics by Alan Schmuckler and book by David Holstein, "The Emperor's New Clothes" is a delightful musical update of the well-known Hans Christian Anderson fairytale.   But this time? It's got a fun feminist twist.  The Emperor has a daughter now and she can't get on the train for college until she stops her father's undoing.

I'm not going to lie.  The show is about fifteen minutes too long, coming in at seventy five minutes.  That's a lot to ask most eight year olds to sit through.  Come to think of it, that's a lot for some thirty one year olds to sit through. 

Nonetheless, this show was absolutely fun.  I offer kudos to Rachel Rockwell, making her directorial debut at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater, for her dynamic blocking in thrust, lively choreography and pacing.  She moved quickly from one scene to the next.  If you got restless, you weren't restless for long.

I also want to point out the cast for their honest, well-done acting.  It's tough with Children's Theater. They tend to go campy quick.  Nevertheless, Rockwell and the cast kept the show grounded and truly funny.  Megan Long had some beautiful authentic moments as "Sam", the Emperor's daughter.  Jonathan Weir almost stole the show with his jazzy rendition of "Linin' My Ducks in a Row", as the evil (but still likeable) "Lord Vince."  And as comically strong as the cast was, Jarrod Zimmerman and Alex Goodrich stood out as the "Undersecretary" and "Kimberly". 

If you are looking for something creatively stimulating to do with the kids this summer, and they don't mind sitting in the dark for seventy-five minutes, check out "The Emperor's New Clothes."  It will be far better than any crass Hollywood movie out today.  For tickets, check out the Chicago Shakespeare Theater at www.chicagoshakes.com.