BWW Reviews: STILTZ! The Musical at Actor's Forum

Stiltz! The Musical
book by Paula Miller; music & lyrics by Deborah Johnson
co-directed by Wayland Pickard & Doug Engalla
Actors Forum Theatre
through October 17

"Gimme, gimme now!" perfectly describes Stiltz!, a comic musical fable showing the negativity of greed, power and fame. Though flawed the show has some terrific tunes from Deborah Johnson and a fine cast under Wayland Pickard and Doug Engalla's steadily fast-paced direction.

Based on the fairy tale Rumpelstiltskin, Stiltz! takes place in Office #7 where a computer software man's daughter must try to sell his product to make them some money. A corporate nerd interferes helping the girl sell the product online, but when oodles of money are made, suspicion is cast on the girl and her father and all is far from well; the corporate boss wants more money before they get any profit, and the nerd wants far more than the daughter ever bargained for.

Heading the cast as daughter Lacey is adorable Alli Miller whose effervescence as a singer and actress make one believe in the silly plot and root for her happiness. Oh, I did say up front that this is based on a fairy tale, right? Well, the result is an adult fairy tale, set in the corporate world, which should make it relevant and appealing to a working class audience. Also terrific in the cast are Suzan Solomon as secretary Lois - you know the bossy but friendly type, a yenta with a Brooklyn accent. Robert Moon is hilarious as Stiltz, Gwendolyn Druyor a bundle of energy as Ann, and David Wilkins in really pleasant voice as Hatfield, who becomes the love of Lacey's life. Also kudos to Ross Kramer as Miller and Larry Lederman as mean and stingy boss Devlin.

Johnson's songs are upbeat and bright with a couple of very pretty ballads, including "Emerald Green" and "The Perfect Life". Michele Bernath's peppy choreography suits the scenario to a tee.

The first act is a tad long, but what becomes most irritating is catching the hacker in Act II. The audience knows who he is and so plotwise things should wrap up sooner. Also, the ending seems to happen far too abruptly. I wanted a big finish with a great big musical finale, but it didn't happen.

Overall, fun and cute adult fare that will keep you engaged and laughing.