Sweet Charity--Sutton Foster A Ray of Sunshine

By Joseph Cervelli

Tackling the role of Charity in the infectious musical “Sweet Charity” is a high wire act considering that the memorable Gwen Verdon originated it back in 1966. Who could easily forget her stance dressed in black in silhouette form with a brightly lit background. She won your hearts right from the beginning. Two other actresses attempted the same role and for this reviewer both disappointments. Debbie Allen was a bit too harsh never capturing  Charity’s vulnerability and  Christina Applegate years later was better but slightly on the dippy side. Now, at The New Group we have Sutton Foster in the leading role. Could anyone be better? Like Verdon,  Foster possesses both the  innocence and toughness of the dance hall hostess.  And in this slightly darker version with a bit fewer laughs directed with deep sincerity by Leigh Silverman just about everything clicks thanks to the lead and the other cast of actors who are equally good. There is also a wonderful standout from Joel Perez an actor you need to keep an eye out for in future shows. 

Let me first complement the amazingly talented Foster who sings and acts with the conviction of a character looking desperately for love in all the wrong places. In this revival it is indicated that she provides more than just dances for the gentlemen who come to the Fandango Club.  Foster dances beautifully and her big number “If My Friends Could See Me Know” is a delight.  Like a little child she romps around the luxury apartment (minimum sets by Derek McAllen) of the famed Italian actor Vittorio Vidal played with suave authority by Joel Perez. Perez who gave a good performance in the recent “Fun House” excels in a variety of roles, especially as Vidal. He puts more warmth in “Too Many Tomorrows” a song I always thought to be a filler more than anything else. Yet, here he sings it with such a conviction that I appreciated it more than previous productions.  

As Charity goes around looking for love and finds it when  she accidently meets Oscar (a first rate Shuler Hensley) in an elevator. Slightly neurotic and claustrophobic Oscar starts to have panic attacks when the elevator gets stuck. It is possible to wildly overplay the anxiety that Oscar goes through and that is what the otherwise fine Denis O’Hare did in the last revival. He was so hyperkinetic  in his performance that it was grating. Yet, Hensley finds the right rhythm being crazed without going to extremes. Anyone who has seen this fine actor in such musicals as “Oklahoma” knows what a beautiful voice he possesses. 

Charity’s two best friends at the Fandango Club played by Asmeret Ghebremichael and Emily Padgett are on target with their lovely rendition of the bittersweet “Baby, Dream Your Dream” and dance up a storm along with Foster in “There’s Gotta Be Something Better Than This.”

The score by Cy Coleman and Dorothy Fields which still remains one of the catchiest in years feels as fresh as if it was written today and the cynical book by Neil Simon has been slightly changed making it more melancholy. 

What is missing that could prove a sore point for some is the lack of Bob Fosse’s choreography. While it is understandable that the  excellent choreographer Joshua Bergasse wanted to adopt his own style we do miss the hunched shoulders, turned in feet and slithery movements so Fosse. But Bergasse has incorporated some of those unique movements in the stylish “Rich Man’s Frug.” The big disappointment is his lackluster “Big Spender” number done in strangely muted manner. 

One big change (despite greatly missing the knockout overture) is that the contemplative ‘Where Am I Going” is now at the end of the show which actually makes a lot of sense since you will not find a happy ending here. It was felt that was the reason  the underrated film starring Shirley McClaine was a flop. 

Still, with such a snappy score and Foster a ray of sunshine this “Charity” is a bouquet of roses. 

Tickets are available at The Pershing Square Signature Center 480 West 42nd Street or by calling 212.279.4200.