Review by Elyse Trevers
Sometimes when a Off-Broadway show wins over audiences, it makes the giant leap to Broadway.
The creatives behind the musical version of “Days of Wine and Roses,” which opened at the Atlantic Theater Company during the summer, almost guaranteed the show success.
The musical stars the divine Kelli O’Hara and talented Brian d’Arcy James. Directed by Michael Greif, the musical has a book by Craig Lucas and choreography by Sergio Trujillo and Karla Puno Gacia.
Years ago, O’Hara starred in “Light in The Piazza” and here she reunites with Adam Guettel who created the music, lyrics and orchestrations for this production.
I adore O’Hara and would rush to see anything in which she appears. In fact, this was the second time I attended the show. With her wholesome presence, blonde beauty and crystal-clear soprano voice, she adds class and talent to every show.
Unfortunately, this musical doesn’t do her justice.
She stars as Kristen, a strait-laced, nondrinker who is courted by Joe (d’Arcy James,) a public relations man at her company. Joe sees drinking as part of his work and is shocked when she announces that she doesn’t drink. He takes it as a challenge to get her to drink, and unfortunately, he is successful.
O’Hara and d’Arcy James have nice chemistry and both possess excellent singing voices. The duets they do together are the musical highlights of the show.
Together, fueled by alcohol, Joe and Kristen create a life together, marrying and even having a child.
However, their drinking causes their downfall and eventually his drinking causes Joe to lose his job and Kristen to accidentally set a fire in their apartment, endangering their young daughter.
From there they descend even further. Their alcoholism is fueled by companionship and each time one tries to stop, instead of supporting the efforts, the other persuades them to start again.
Joe convinces her to drink, even when she is nursing their child. By the end of the musical, Joe has finally accepted that he needs help and is following a program, but Kristen, the formerly repressed teetotaler, is still fighting her demons.
The story is depressing and it’s clear where their lives are headed. As if to highlight their path, Kirsten’s father, played with stoicism by Bryon Jennings, keeps advising her to ‘get rid of him.’
Allowing the performers to converse through their lyrics, the music often is atonal and sometimes drags. Even without an intermission, the hour forty-five minute running time feels much longer. Much of the music is spiritless and wears the audience down. (At least it did for me.)
Musicals certainly don’t have to be light-hearted and insipid. They can deal with serious themes but still fill the audience with energy and sometimes even hope. “Days of Wine and Roses: The Musical” does not do that.
It certainly isn’t because of the talented stars who sing all of the 14 songs and work very hard.
Many productions presented at Atlantic Theater Company have wowed audiences and gone on to even greater success on Broadway. Based upon the 1962 movie starring Jack Lemmon and Lee Remick, this musical gives audiences a chance to enjoy the talents of O’Hara and d’Arcy James.
However, you must act quickly if you want to see them; this is a limited run.
