Revived and revised by Classic Stage Company, 1962 Broadway musical I Can Get It for You Wholesale benefits from a starry cast and darkly sharpened book.
Famous for uncovering the young Barbra Streisand, golden age musical I Can Get It for You Wholesale is rarely seen, making this current season all the more appealing and intriguing. In an interesting connection, Jerome Weidman’s book (based on his novel) has been revised by his son John Weidman, himself an accomplished librettist.
Returning the first person narration to antihero Harry Bogen, John Weidman and director Trip Cullman take advantage of the sheer likability of lead performer Santino Fontana, very effectively creating a sense of rising unease in the audience as Harry’s ruthlessly self-centred character comes to light.
Swiftly established as an industrious yet vulnerable boy in the balletic prologue, Harry goes on to bust a shipping strike by starting his own delivery company in New York’s garment district of the 1930s. Flush with success, Harry spoils his doting mother Mrs Bogen (Judy Kuhn), romances dear Ruthie Rivkin (Rebecca Naomi Jones), and beds Broadway star Martha Mills (Joy Woods).
Additional casualties of Harry’s wanton destruction include best friend and partner Meyer Bushkin (Adam Chanler-Berat) and his wife Bianche Bushkin (Sarah Steele).
The new book ensures that Harry pays for his recklessness, clearly indicating that there is no place for selfishness in a close community.
Working from David Chase’s adaptations and arrangements, music director and orchestrator Jacinth Greywoode leads five fellow musicians in an economically reduced performance of Harold Rome’s score. There is a sense that Rome’s fascinating music would sound better with a more lavish band, but the quality vocals of singers such as Fontana and Kuhn go a long way to offset this.
Mark Wendland’s scenic design sees the cast continually arrange a set of tables and chairs, with the New York City skyline represented upstage by silhouettes of bobbins and mannequins as part of the rag trade setting.
Ann Hould-Ward’s costumes and J. Jared Jonas’ wigs are brimming with period flair. It is just a shame that the climactic act one fashion parade is compered but not not actually seen, breaking one of the theatrical rules for success: show, don’t tell.
One of Broadway’s very best musical theatre actors of recent years, Santino Fontana is in reliably plummy voice, looking sprightly and boyish even in the very close proximity of the tight house at Classic Stage. Fontana leans into Harry’s darkness, not flinching in his commitment to portraying the irredeemable villain.
A quick mention of one memorable incident at this performance: Fontana came on stage for act two without a crucial prop in his pocket. The only thing more endearing than his ad libs to cover his quick dash to retrieve the prop was the muffled cry of anguish heard from a member of the backstage crew.
Judy Kuhn is all class as Mrs Bogen (thankfully, that surname does not have the same implication in the US as “bogan” does in Australia).
Rebecca Naomi Jones captures all audience hearts as the vulnerable yet determined Ruthie. Adam Chanler-Berat and Sarah Steele are sweetly endearing as Meyer and Bianche, making the couple’s plight all the more moving.
In the Streisand role of secretary Miss Marmelstein, Julia Lester is a characterful delight, stopping the show in act one with her character’s self-titled song.
An incredible chance to see such a strong cast up close and personal, the season of I Can Get It for You Wholesale also provides the welcome opportunity to visit / revisit a bygone Broadway musical.
Footnote: this may be too early to call, but are Playbills on deathwatch? Classic Stage works sustainably by providing the smallest possible cast sheet, with a QR code link to the 45-page program online.
I Can Get It For You Wholesale plays at Classic Stage Company, New York until 17 December 2023. For tickets, click here.
The I Can Get It For You Wholesale program can be read online.
The I Can Get It For You Wholesale show guide can be read online.
Photos: Julieta Cervantes