OH, TO BE A MOVIE STAR: The Apple Tree is a very strange musical. Really, it's more like three mini-musicals in a row, all involving a gorgeous woman, the man who loves her, and a narrator/tempter figure. The first act is based on Mark Twain's skewed version of the creation story, the second on The Lady Or The Tiger?, and the final on Passionella (a 60s Hollywood variation on Cinderella by Jules Feiffer). The original production was the stuff of legend, featuring a legendary performance from Barbara Harris, and Alan Alda as the "lover" character. Because of the demands of the leading female role (who's on-stage for 90% of the show and has to be a gorgeous soprano), it's never been revived until now, with Kristin Chenoweth trying to follow in Harris' footsteps after an acclaimed performance at Encores!, which previously gave us the Wonderful Town and Chicago revivals.
Mostly, it works. The first act is funny and surprisingly touching, the second act a decent diversion, and the third act (despite being seriously dated) has plenty of laughs and lets Kristin show off her voice. Brian D'Arcy James gets to redo much of the schtick he used during his brief run in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels as the "lover," particularly in the third act, where he plays the "cool guy," but Marc Kudisch is largely wasted (he has one big song as the snake in the First Act, sings briefly as a balladeer/narrator in Act II, and doesn't sing a note in the final act as the "Fairy Godmother"). This show is Kristin's, though, and be it attempting to play with a whip, explaining babies, or flaunting her assets in a slinky gold dress, she nails it all. Most touchingly of all, in her Playbill bio, she notes that her performance is "dedicated to the late John Spencer." Worth your time, especially if you get (as I did) a discount. Also, I suggest Goldstar Events as a source for discounts--had no problem picking up tickets at will call, and they have diverse offers, ranging from theatre to the Knicks.
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