The Muhlenberg Weekly

Issue date: 2/1/07 Section: Life!

The Broadway revival of Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick's The Apple Tree, being performed by the Roundabout Theatre Company at Studio 54, is an excellent rendition of this three-act musical, based on three very different short stories: "The Diary of Adam and Eve" by Mark Twain, "The Lady or the Tiger?" by Frank R. Stockton and "Passionella" by Jules Feiffer. It quickly becomes clear, however, that only one of these stories makes an excellent musical.

The first act, "The Diary of Adam and Eve," has enough humor and heart to stand alone as its own musical, and it is certainly the best moment in the entire show. Brian d'Arcy James' Adam is hilarious from the moment the show starts, reveling in his "Adam time" when no one else is around and growing increasingly annoyed when the perky, know-it-all Eve (Kristin Chenoweth) is introduced.

The witty script in this first act has the audience laughing constantly as the pair demonstrates stereotypes of men and women. For example, as soon as Eve moves into Adam's hut she begins offering suggestions as to how he should redecorate.

The characters, however, are not confined to their stereotypes, exploring their complexities through the beautiful songs. Adam slowly becomes able to appreciate his new companion and the world around him in "Eve" and "Beautiful, Beautiful World." Eve is surprised to discover that her confidence falters when presented with the idea of love in "Feelings."

Chenoweth particularly shines in the first song of the show, "Here in Eden," during which Eve reflects on her home and her inescapable feeling that her time there is fleeting.

While "The Diary of Adam and Eve" retells the well-known story of the Garden of Eden, the Snake (Marc Kudisch) seems to bring about positive changes in the plot as he seduces Eve and convinces her to try the forbidden fruit.

It is when Adam and Eve are banished from Eden that they are able to fall in love, and that the first act of the musical suddenly adds a good deal of emotion to the constant stream of jokes.

After intermission, the musical takes a turn for the worse, with the convoluted and unsatisfying "The Lady or the Tiger?" James, who's skillful acting and beautiful voice are showcased in the first act, is given the very small role of Sanjar, and the musical becomes a one-woman show in Chenoweth's hands.

Despite her talent, however, she is unable to rescue the second part of the musical. "The Lady or the Tiger?" tells the story of Princess Barbara, whose lover (James' Sanjar) is sentenced to a trial in the bizarre judicial system used by King Arik (Walter Charles). He is forced to choose one of two identical doors, which will lead him to either a man-eating tiger or a woman who he will be required to marry.

Continued...

Page 1 of 2 next >

Article Tools