Not Sure Ethel Would Approve: A Review of The Book of Merman at Flying Elephant Productions

Michael Idalski, Nicole Frydman, Sam Massey/Photo: Evan Hanover

No, “The Book of Merman” is not a parody of “The Book of Mormon,” although it throws a few shoutouts to the hit musical. Nor is it a cabaret send-up of one of America’s most memorable musical talents. Rather, the production is sort of a comedy and a little bit of a coming-out story and maybe an ode to old-fashioned show biz.

It begins with two Mormons knocking on doors in order to save souls while keeping a sharp lookout for Jehovah’s Witnesses, who claimed this piece of suburbia for themselves. Lo and behold, they knock on the door of Ethel Merman, who looks alive and well despite reportedly passing away in 1984. Is this in fact the same Ethel Merman? The two missionaries think she may be and try their darndest to convert her. Ethel, meanwhile, is content to give out sound Broadway advice on living. As she does, one of the missionaries becomes more interested in the theater than religion.

Nicole Frydman makes a fine Ethel Merman and Michael Idalski and Sam Massey are more than up for their roles as Mormon missionaries. There is a lot to like in Leo Schwartz’s music and lyrics. The laughs, though, are too few and far between for this production to ever truly take off. Those expecting anything close to the comedic genius of the better-known Mormon-centered musical will almost certainly walk away disappointed. There seems to be only so much you can do with the premise of Ethel Merman meeting up with a couple of Mormons.

Flying Elephant Productions at Stage 773, 1225 West Belmont, (773)327-5252, flyingelephantproductions.com, $40. Through January 6.

Elephant Hunting: A Review of "Together At Last" at The Second City Mainstage Overall, this particular revue feels more improv-infused than I remember in past iterations, incorporating suggestions texted in by the audience rather than shouted out as in the past.
Latter-Day Replay: A Review of "The Book of Mormon" at Broadway in Chicago The lampoon of missionaries that feel the need to create a cookie-cutter world in their own image still resonates.
Preps Rally: A Review of Cruel Intentions: The '90s Musical at Kokandy Productions For fellow nineties nostalgia seekers, “Cruel Intentions” is one of those quintessential teen drama romps. Chock full of nineties music you will be compelled to sing along (but seriously please don’t—leave it to the performers).
A Fan’s Gotta Do: A Review of Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog at Black Button Eyes Productions “Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog,” the quirky three-part musical web series about the sad machinations of a supervillain, displayed an early example of what entertainment on the Internet could look like. Now, with Black Button Eyes Productions that 2008 “classic” has hit the stages of Chicago to benefit Season of Concern.
Children Will Find The Door: A Review of Mary Rose at Black Button Eyes Productions There is more than a kernel of something fantastic here. This is the sort of thing that storefront theater in Chicago can create out of spit-and-a-snit.
Behold, The Chosen Homosexual: A Review of Hell in a Handbag Productions' “I Promised Myself To Live Faster” What do you get when you smash together old Flash Gordon serials with intergalactic alien orgies and hidden emotional trauma? While the premise is simple, the execution is luscious and extravagant.

Related Stories