Revamped musical has little to applaud

Although “Applause” is named for a performer’s
moment of ovation, when the musical ended Tuesday night, the
audience’s reaction was merely mild clapping.

“What is it we’re living for? Applause!”
declares the chorus in the theme song of the show. Hopefully this
is not really the motto for the actors, as the musical’s
uninspiring songs and flat story line make for a long night at the
theater.

The 1970 musical, based on the film “All About Eve,”
is the story of Margo Channing, played by Sheryl Lee Ralph. Margo
is a peaking stage diva who becomes a mentor for a young, devoted
fan, Eve Harrington (Jean Louisa Kelly). Eventually, Margo realizes
Eve is a lot less naive than she lets on and is cleverly
manipulating Margo’s theater allies to pave the way for her
own stardom.

Essentially, the rest of the play consists of Margo bemoaning
her age and the future of her romance with a young director, Bill
Sampson (Kevin Earley), while Eve tramples on all aspects of her
life.

The musical is redeemed by its extremely talented cast who shine
in all facets of musical theater. It is impossible to watch this
production and not wish to see them in a musical that is less
draining and would allow them to flex their strong theatrical
skills.

Ralph’s regal stage presence as Margo keeps the production
afloat and gives it a promising beginning. When she steps on stage
in a stunning late 1960’s empire waist gown and earrings that
shine like disco balls, she convinces the audience they’re in the
glamour of the Tony Awards and in the mind of a stage queen.
Unfortunately, after that opening scene, the fun is over, and
two-and-a-half hours of a whining diva in decline are all that
remain.

Meanwhile, Eve is supposedly deceiving those around her as she
tries to slowly steal Margo’s life. But the audience rarely
sees this, and they are left to figure out if she really is
completely naive or if her innocence is an act. Only in the last
few scenes do we see the depths of her dangerous ambitions.
Finally, in her “One Hallowe’en” solo, we hear
Kelly’s spectacular voice, and her words add much needed
juice to the plot and her character. Still, it comes so late in the
story that the whole thing seems unnatural and confusing.

Veanne Cox, with her portrayal of Karen Richards, absolutely
saves the sinking, overly melodramatic musical. She is absolute
comedic relief with her hilarious expressions and subtle, always
funny acting which keep the musical moving.

The most exhausting element of the musical is not knowing who to
feel sorry for: the wailing diva losing her fame, or the starlit
trying to steal it. By the time the musical decides, the audience
is already bored by the weak center of drama ““ two women
fighting for attention.

Still, it is exciting to see a Broadway musical at the Freud
Playhouse, and “Applause” has an ensemble of top-notch
actors. Perhaps they will come back for the 2006 Reprise! season
and will have a chance to act, sing and dance in a musical that
highlights, rather than masks, their abilities.

-Fay Gordon