Darling Grenadine--A Beautifully Touching New Musical

       By Joseph Cervelli

There is still time to rush over to the Black Box to see one of the best shows of the season, thus far, "Darling Grenadine" with book, music and lyrics by Daniel Zaitchik. His  catchy tunes and insightful lyrics are very reminiscent of Jason Robert Brown. Maybe, not as stylish as Brown. but there is enough here in especially two of his songs that definitely make this composer/ writer worth keeping an eye out for.

It is a bittersweet tale with Harry (a wonderful Adam Kantor) who writes jingles and only one really seems to have made it big--well as big as jingles could go. He is an aspiring songwriter but something  is keeping him back. That "something" sadly is his addiction to alcohol which starts to play a prominent role in the show.

Harry who plays the piano in his brother Paul's  (an always excellent Jay Armstrong Johnson) bar falls in love with a Broadway performer Louise (a superb Emily Walton) who is in the ensemble and hopes as understudy to go on one day. Zaitchik knows very well how those beginnings of any romance begin. You don't see any blemishes that might take place in a continuing  relationship for all are on their best behavior and everything is simply glorious. Oh, that it could always stay that way but in many instances it falls apart. But for Harry his bursting into the infectious "Swell" says it all about how he feels for this young woman. The feelings they have for each other are so believable and their lovely duet "Manhattan" emphasizes the love they feel for each other. It is not long before she does touch something in his jacket pocket which is a flask that sends up signals of his drinking problem.

They both support each other's goals in a career. She wants him to write more songs that could lead to writing for the theater and he devises a plan which does not go over well with her to arrange for her to indeed go on for the star of the show.

The relationship has its ups and downs with an emphasis on the latter. Before you think this is just a depressing run of the mill story about how a love affair can shatter because of alcohol the show is an uplifting one and there are some very clever touches. Zaitchik has included a trumpet player who makes the sounds of Harry's unseen dog named Paul. It is not only amusing but shows the caring person that Harry is. He is just someone whose life has been taken over by drink.

There are two numbers that are standouts. "Suspended" is a stunning number sung by the mellifluous Walton about how Harry's problem has led to a severe dive in their relationship. I don't think I will easily forget "The Kettle Song." Listening carefully to the lyrics it surely conjures up the heavyhearted feelings they have for each other. When Louise sings about letting the tea water boil on low so Harry does not have to leave I felt my own eyes well up with tears.

Kantor who was terrific in "Fiddler on the Roof" and in the Broadway version of "The Band's Visit" really takes off in this show. Yes, he has an excellent voice and his performance is exhilarating. You never for a moment have any doubt who Harry really is and how difficult it is for him to overcome his issues. I had read that he portrayed Jamie in Brown's under appreciated knockout "The Last Five Years." How I wished I had seen in him that role.

Watson meshes perfectly with Kantor and you never doubt their interest in each other as the characters they are portraying. They have a chemistry that works  for the entire show.

Johnson has a fine singing voice so was a tad disappointed the was not given a musical number here.

The incredible dancer and performer Michael Berresse (who can forget him in the 1999 revival of "Kiss Me, Kate")  has the right amount of finesse in his direction and choreography.

There is no real set to speak of except for a movable bar and bed but set designer Tim Mackabee has very effective sketches of New York on what looks like windows around the theater (seating is in the round).

The show may end its run soon, but there is no reason for it not to play around the country. It is too good a show to give a final goodbye to.

Tickets are available at the Harold and Miriam Sternberg Center for Theatre/Black Box Theater 111 West 46th Street.

PHOTOS: JOAN MARCUS