Theater Review : All’s Not Right With Newport Theatre’s ‘World’

It’s probably a good thing the Newport Theatre Arts Center neglected to mention in its program that the musical “Dear World” was based on Jean Giraudoux’s “The Madwoman of Chaillot.” The French playwright would probably be grateful.

The adaptation of the book, by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee, is simplistic and obvious, sometimes even Francophobic, and Jerry Herman’s score is, well, Jerry Herman’s score.

A San Francisco critic once correctly stated that Herman didn’t write songs, he wrote anthems. Nothing could be more improper and tasteless for the faded antique tones of Giraudoux’s gentle fantasy about the evils of power and greed in this world, and the simple solution to the problem devised by the distracted but wise Countess Aurelia.

There are some directors who should not be told they are directing a comedy or a fantasy. Both have to be played dead serious to work. Embellishing comedy or fantasy with more of the same courts disaster.

Director Larry Watts makes that mistake in this production, with the eventual result of doubling the simplistic tone of the book and making it look almost like a children’s play. He allows mugging and overacting to go unchecked in a cast that seems to think that acting is nodding vigorously while another actor is speaking.

His Countess Aurelia, Lisa Gary, has a fine voice, rich and vibrant, that makes Herman’s tunes, particularly her ballads, very listenable. When she speaks, she shrieks--is it Dame Edith Evans she’s trying to emulate? She is about five times too big in her readings and gestures. Who is this wild-eyed Aurelia? For we know her not.

There’s a little more restraint in Justin Melbin’s Julian, the young man who bolts from the evildoers to help the Countess’ cause. Melbin’s full-bodied, rock-bottom baritone is a highlight that Herman’s score doesn’t give enough to do. And he generally comports himself as a normal human being, a rarity in this company.

*

His quiet moment (“And I Was Beautiful”) with Aurelia, who speaks without a shriek for once, is the only time the show works the way it should. Megan Endicott’s lilting soprano also is just right for Nina, the local girl for whom Julian falls, and she acts pretty normal, too.

Otherwise, the performances are pure cartoon, particularly Yvonne Houssels and Cindy Corbin as Aurelia’s dim chums, who are sight gags only, and Theodore Phillip as the Prospector who discovers oil in Chaillot. Phillip has appeared elsewhere to much better advantage and should know better.

Brad Steward’s musical direction makes the most it can with the anthems and soppy ballads, but his lighting design is all over the place, which doesn’t help Todd Faux’s clever and workable scenic design.

* “Dear World,” Newport Theatre Arts Center, 2501 Cliff Drive, Newport Beach. Thursdays through Saturdays, 8 p.m., Sundays, 2:30 p.m. Ends July 3. $15. (714) 631-0288. Running time: 2 hours, 15 minutes. Lisa Gary: Countess Aurelia

Justin Melbin: Julian

Megan Endicott: Nina

Theodore Phillip: the Prospector

Yvonne Houssels: Gabrielle

Cindy Corbin: Constance

A Newport Theatre Arts Center production of Jerome Lawrence, Robert E. Lee and Jerry erman’s musical adaptation of Jean Giraudoux’s fantasy. Directed by Larry Watts. Produced by Brenda Abshear. Musical direction/lighting design: Brad Steward. Scenic design: Todd Faux. Costume design: Millie Fuller. Sound design: Randy Woltz. Stage manager: Verlene and John VanAmber.