Review: 42nd Street, The John McIntosh Arts Centre

In his book The Haunted Stage: The Theatre as Memory Machine, Marvin Carlson writes about how watching a production which has been performed in the past involves something which has been seen before: the memory of certain recycled materials from previous shows. In the case of 42^nd Street, a production originally performed on Broadway in 1980, which has been performed time and time again, this notion of the ‘memory of past productions’ is evident. 

Geoids Musical Theatre’s production of 42^nd Street is a backstage musical which tells the story of young Peggy Sawyer (Adrianna Cordero-Marino), an aspiring showgirl in 1930s New York who is eventually hired as a dancer in a musical production. Following the tradition of 1930s backstage musicals, 42^nd Street involves dilemmas (mostly about money) surrounding an upcoming production, but the show must go on. 

The performance includes scenes which follow in the footsteps of Busby Berkeley’s 1933 film choreography, namely 42^nd Street and Gold Diggers of 1933. It also features songs such as Lullaby of Broadway, We’re in the Money, and I’m Young and Healthy. The direction pays homage to previous productions of the show, both on stage and on film. Along with the music and dancing, the stage and lighting add to the glitzy, glamorous world characteristic of musicals. 

As a production which has been seen time and time again, this raises the question: what sets Geoids Musical Theatre’s version of 42^nd Street apart from every other version? Director Emily Phillips writes: “I wanted to bring the greyscale world of 1930s New York into a vibrant technicolour in the world of the ‘show in the show’…what set 42^nd Street apart from other musicals of the time is a story that provides a platform for the voices and experiences of an ensemble, rather than using them as accessories.” While Phillips does exactly what she set out to achieve and brings a platform for the ensemble, what really sets Geoids Musical Theatre’s version apart from all the others is the acting.

Aside from the fact that every single performer has exquisite dancing and singing abilities, each and every one brings their own flair to the characters while following in the footsteps of prior productions. A side glance, a change in tone, or even standing at a slightly different angle allows the actors to be creative with their characters. In this way, it is not just something which has been seen before.

Director: Emily Phillips
Musical Director: Thomas Marples
Choreographer: Kim Schenkelaars
Assistant Choreographer: Gabbie Sills

42^nd Street plays at The John McIntosh Arts Centre until Saturday 26 April.