A top flight cast and smoking hot band make for a compelling new production of jazz-infused Broadway gem City of Angels.
Winner of a highly impressive haul of six 1990 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, City of Angels has been unjustly ignored by commercial producers in Australia, seen here again in an independent production, this time from Joshua Robson Productions in association with Hayes Theatre Co.
A satirical look at Hollywood of the 1940s, City of Angels has an added relevancy at present. If, for some reason, your sympathy does not fall on the side of writers in the current WGA strike, it surely will after seeing the torment that detective novelist Stine endures in adapting his hit novel to a screenplay. A high concept show-with-a-show, the musical presents the film noir movie scenes in black and white with the “real life” studio scenes in living colour.
The streamlined production uses a smartly designed single set, from set designer Simon Greer, with cinema reel floor, atmospheric venetian blinds, and a generous rear bandstand. Key pieces of furniture conjure the scenes, with items cleverly flipping from black and white to colour for nifty fast changes.
Costume designer Esther Zhong contributes a cohesive sense of 1940s style. Much as wardrobe reflects the period, hair design (uncredited) undermines the look, with none of the female cast members adopting a 1940s hairdo.
Lighting designer James Wallis contributes significantly to the twin threads of storytelling, even able to have colour and greyscale scenes on stage side by side.
Flipping back and forth between realities as Stine writes and rewrites his screenplay, Larry Gelbart’s book for City of Angels is so clever that it can potentially outsmart audiences if not brought to life clearly. No danger of this under director Sam Hooper who crafts each character distinctly and presents the story beats with deft precision. While the laugh rate is slightly lower than that seen in other productions, the high quality of dramatic acting and vocal performances is of higher overall value.
Performing on stage, music director Abi McCunn leads a sensational band of six fellow musicians in a blazing hot rendition of Cy Coleman’s melodic score. Jazz background music at the start of each act is an added treat. Damon Wade serves as co-music director. McCunn also contributed orchestrations, creating a hefty big band sound with seven musicians.
Sound designer David Grigg ensures that vocal and instrumental performances are perfectly balanced, with every David Zippel lyric heard with crisp clarity.
Glenn Hill and Aaron Tsindos lead the cast as the intrinsically linked duo of suffering screenwriter Stine and his hard bitten detective creation Stone. Hill readily generates sympathy and affection for Stine, drawing the audience into the writer’s artistic process and related plight. Tsindos maintains a dry intensity, allowing momentary twinkles in his eye for moments of obvious satire. Singing actors, Hill and Tsindos infuse their musical numbers with as much drama as their dialogue scenes, bringing act one to a stirring close with hit duet “You’re Nothing Without Me.”
City of Angels provides a slew of meaty female roles, with the four female leads playing dual Hollywood/movie character roles. Shannen Alyce Quan achieves particular success as twin secretaries Oolie and Donna, delivering lovely vocals and nailing the characterful humour.
Penny McNamee smoulders as femme fatale Alaura Kinsgley, contrasting this role with catty Carla Haywood, philandering wife of the Hollywood studio head.
Paul Hanlon infuses megalomaniac studio chief Buddy Fidler with blustery energy, anchoring the character’s annoying traits in a belief that he behaves as necessary to have each picture made. As Lt Muñoz, Marcus Rivera makes upbeat Latin charm song “All You Have To Do Is Wait” a lively highlight of act one.
Doron Chester, Sian Crowe, Noah Janssen, and Katelin Koprivec deliver the jazzy scat vocals of the Angel City Four with smooth power, also playing multiple featured roles with flair.
Musical theatre aficionados will need little encouragement to catch this slick and entertaining production of City of Angels.
City of Angels plays at Hayes Theatre, Sydney until 23 July 2023. For tickets, click here.
Photos: Grant Leslie