Review of Wonderful Town

Leonard Bernstein's music has always come across as highly memorable and rhythmically incisive, that is evident here, Candide and especially West Side Story. He is also a great and influential conductor(though with some quirky podium mannerisms that you either take or leave), particularly in Mahler. Wonderful Town lives up to its name, it's a great musical with a story that sparkles and this TV film is wonderful. The sets are not as opulent as you'd like and have a somewhat shoddily cardboard look, but the lovely costumes and skilled(if not exceptional) filming compensate. So does everything else, of which the standard is very high to outstanding. The music doesn't disappoint, not quite West Side Story good but they have immense charm to them, are fun and don't distract from the story. The score is whimsical, expertly orchestrated and incisive and all the songs work, the best being Swing, Ohio and One Hundred Easy Ways, Ever since hearing Beverly Sills and Sherrill Milnes' rendition It's Love is also a very nice song. The clever and witty lyrics really work in the songs' favour. The choreography is spirited, always full of life and as though the stars are enjoying themselves, Conga, One Note Rag- just hilarious that number is- and Swing are the highlights choreographically. The script is light-hearted and charming, as well as witty and funny, some of it is fluff but endearing fluff that is. The direction is solid and always in command of what is happening, keeping things moving while not feeling too heavy. The cast give it their all and give winning performances. Jacquelyn McKeever is a beautiful and very likable Eileen with a sweet voice, she works really well with Rosalind Russell in Ohio and with Sydney Chaplin in It's Love. Chaplin is charming and good-natured, very ideal for the role and works within the film. Stealing the show is Russell, her singing is not the most beautiful or tuneful(though it is more listenable than it was in Gypsy) but her personal radiance, lively stage presence, spitfire comic timing and her ability to attack everything she's been given with gusto make it a most memorable performance. Overall, wonderful in almost every aspect apart from the sets. 9/10 Bethany Cox