Review: Lively and Hilarious BULLETS OVER BROADWAY at The Peabody Opera House

If you think about it, BULLETS OVER BROADWAY is the perfect Woody Allen film to turn into a Broadway musical, especially since it pokes fun at the process of producing one. Add some particularly well drawn characters (book by Allen, based on the original screenplay written with Douglas McGrath) and a copious amount of humor, and combine that with a score that cherry-picks a wealth of classic period music, and you've got a winning combination. The current touring production, which is stopping briefly at The Peabody Opera House (one night only - May 5, 2016), is a hilariously engaging show, full of flashy song and dance numbers from a bygone era, that shouldn't be missed.

It's 1929, and David Shayne is on the threshold of having his first play produced on Broadway. Julian Marx, who is producing the show, relies on gangster Nick Valenti for financing. The money though, is contingent upon having Nick's wacky girlfriend Olive play one of the leads. Nick has one of his boys around, Cheech, to make sure things go according to plan, but he winds up contributing more to the play in the way of viable ideas, than actually keeping a watchful eye on Olive. Much mayhem and hilarity ensue as romantic entanglements begin to arise.

Michael Williams is outstanding as David, trying to escape the clutches of Helen Sinclair (a fine Emma Stratton), and remain true to his girlfriend Ellen (nicely played by Hannah Rose Deflumeri), while also fending off Cheech's suggestions, which are actually quite good. Jeffrey Brooks does stellar work as Cheech, a tough guy, but an intelligent one as well. Rick Grossman is sharp as beleaguered producer Julian Marx, and Michael Corvino makes a properly sleazy crime boss as Nick. Jemma Jane amuses as the flighty Olive, fending off her own potential suitors like leading man Walter Purcell (a solid Bradley Allan Zarr). Rachel Bahler also shines as Eden, and the ensemble work is exemplary.

Director Jeff Whiting and choreographer Clare Cook keep this lively show hopping (original direction and choreography by Susan Strohman) with their excellent work. William Ivey Long's costume designs are gorgeous period recreations, and Jason Ardizzone-West's scenic design adds some nice set pieces. Carolyn Wong's lighting is appropriately eye-popping when the script calls for it, and also atmospheric. Robbie Cowan's music direction is superb, with these 1920's songs really coming to life in vibrant fashion.

All in all, this is a really well done adaptation, especially when you consider how many attempts to bring movies to the stage fail miserably. I highly recommend BULLETS OVER BROADWAY!

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