"In the heart of little old New York, you’ll find a thoroughfare…"
Or so the song goes anyway! A year ago I had never even heard of 42nd Street, but when I started university this time last year I joined a society which was staging a production of it. In my audition I was asked if I knew the show at all and my (incredibly stupid) answer to this was “No, but I know a song called 42nd Street” which I proceeded to sing, only to be informed (rather snidely) that it was actually from the show. Yes, this is the true extent of my idiocy!
Anyway, on with the show! 42nd Street is a typical ‘show within a show’ musical, concerning the backstage dramas and stormy relationships between cast members. The central character of the show is Julian Marsh, a previously successful Broadway director who is attempting to make a comeback in the showbiz world. However, this seems unlikely due to the fact that his leading lady, Dorothy Brock, is over the hill in showbiz terms and cannot dance to save her life! Cue Peggy Sawyer, a naïve young girl from Allentown hoping to make her Broadway debut. Despite managing to miss the audition, she is given a part in the chorus after Julian Marsh sees her dancing outside the theatre. But what will happen when the leading lady breaks her ankle? Will the show close?
Yes, I’m sure you’ve guessed exactly what happens here- it’s not a show for unpredictable plot twists and turns! This is a light, fluffy show which celebrates the Broadway dream and, while it does have its deeper, darker elements (Julian Marsh’s relationship with Peggy is frankly rather disturbing), they fail to cast a shadow on the beaming optimism that the show promotes. The over-riding sentiment of the play is that, no matter who you are, if you have a dream that you truly believe in, it can become a reality.
Personally, I think the best character in the show is Dorothy Brock. Although she really only appears in the first act, she acts like a total bitch in every scene, throwing prima donna fits if she feels that she is not being treated like the star that she is! There are however, a few moments where she reveals to us her softer side, showing a more sensitive side to her character and making it more believable. Vocally, it is Dorothy who is the star of the show, getting all the best songs as well as the best lines.
42nd Street began life as a novel before being made into a film in 1933. It was only in 1980, when it was brought to Broadway by David Merrick- a director trying to make his Broadway comeback (hmm… sound familiar?)- that it was adapted for the stage. Combining songs by Al Dubin and Harry Warren (responsible for classics such as ‘Jeepers Creepers’, ‘That’s Amore’ and ‘I only have eyes for you’) with elaborate dance routines choreographed by Gower Champion, it was hailed as an immediate success. It transferred to London in 1984, where a young Catherine Zeta-Jones played the part of Peggy Sawyer.
The songs featured in 42nd Street are typically 1930’s in style and some of them are very well known (I don’t think there’s anyone in the world who doesn’t know ‘We’re In The Money’!), including ‘You’re getting To Be A Habit With Me’, ‘Dames’, and ‘Lullaby of Broadway’. However, it is the dance routines which are really breathtaking here. The show opens with the cast performing a tap audition and is followed by many other glitzy and impressive dances.
When I visited New York last Christmas, I was lucky enough to be able to drag my family along to see the revival production of 42nd Street and it was the perfect show to see in New York. What could be more fitting than to watch a show which celebrates Broadway actually on Broadway? The show even starred a girl plucked from the chorus as Peggy Sawyer! Even my family enjoyed it (despite having to sit through it once in New York and once again at home with me on stage!) and my bargain hunting Dad was particularly impressed that, unlike in the West End, programmes were free!
42nd Street is currently playing at the Ford Center For The Performing Arts in New York and tickets can be obtained via www.ticketmaster.com with prices ranging from $30-100. There is also a website dedicated to the show at www.42ndstreetthemusical.com
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