Blank Theatre Company’s “On the Twentieth Century,” with Dustin Rothbart, Alicia Berneche and Maxwell J Detogne/Photo: Kelsey Decker/Wannabe Studio
Based on a Depression-era play and movie adaptation, “On the Twentieth Century” (book and lyrics by Adolph Green and Betty Comden, music by Cy Coleman) harkens back to a golden age in transportation when big ideas were often hatched while riding the rails. In this instance, failed director/producer Oscar Jaffe (Maxwell J DeTogne) is clutching at straws after staging yet another theatrical disaster. Along with his two stooges, Jaffe hatches a plan to put himself back on top. All Jaffe needs to do is sign his former girlfriend and current Hollywood star Lily Garland (Karylin Veres) for his next production (a production currently without a script). Lucky for him, Lily, along with her jealous boyfriend, is in the berth next door.
This production lacks neither ambition nor talent. Directed by Danny Kapinos, it features an incredibly talented cast who tackle the challenging operatic score with grace and poise. It also has a great costume design by Cindy Moon and even an inventive tap-dance number (choreography by Jen Cupani) that makes good use of Blank Theatre’s cozy theater space. And especially impressive is Alicia Berneche as the off-kilter sweet little old lady with a penchant for religious-themed mischief. Her character, an often over-the-top manic being, would be a nice companion piece to any number of classic screwball comedies such as “Bringing Up Baby” or “The Philadelphia Story.”
Blank Theatre Company’s “On the Twentieth Century,” with Karylin Veres and the cast of “On the Twentieth Century”/Photo: Kelsey Decker/Wannabe Studio
Their efforts, however, are essentially wasted by the incredibly confusing and just not funny enough script. Again, it is not a lack of talent holding the production back. The company does well with what they are given. But act one expends an incredible amount of energy setting up what is essentially a very simple plot. Act two is moderately more amusing but lacks the consistent frantic energy needed to deliver the big laughs. The musical numbers, while well realized, are also mostly forgettable.
I have no answer for the success of other productions of “On the Twentieth Century” (although I guess anything with Madeline Kahn, who originated the role of Lily Garland in 1978, is going to be at least pretty good). It probably also helped to have Kristin Chenoweth play the leading role in its 2015 revival. Still, it is hard for me to imagine this musical earning multiple Tony Awards along with an extended Broadway run. I, for one, am not sure it belongs in the current century.
“On the Twentieth Century” is running through June 9 at Blank Theatre Company, 5545 North Clark. Thursday-Saturday at 7:30pm; Saturday, June 8 at 2pm and Sundays at 3pm. Tickets are $35 and are available at blanktheatrecompany.org.
