Blue LagoonOur Award: 3.5 Fringes
By Joel Markowitz
Now that Xanadu is a smash hit at The Helen Hayes Theatre in NYC, why can’t The Blue Lagoon be a smash musical too? It can!
Jonathan Padget has written a sweet glimpse into “what could be.” He is fortunate to have two young and very talented actors splash their way through his score. Both Matthew McGloin, who plays Richard, and Kathleen Mason, who plays Emmeline, have the innocence and vocal talent to pull off the silliness of the evening.
I really liked the opening number, “Dick, Are We Domed To Die In This Dinghy.” It’s really funny and the harmonies are lovely. And when the plastic baby arrives on the scene, it lends to some very funny moments. When the newborn joins Mom and Dad for a swim, the scene is hilarious as the happy mishpachah make waves of joy all through the theatre. It’s funny stuff.
Let me offer two suggestions- although the first dick joke is funny, and the second dick joke brings a smile, the third through the fiftieth dick jokes are absolutely not funny. They, no pun intended, bring the show down.
Mr. Director:
Can you can you restage most of the action to the back of the stage, so that those of us who are sitting in the last 5 rows can see what’s going on?
I had a great time. I laughed and giggled just like I did when I first saw the movie when I was a wee Buffalonian. Wanna make some waves? Spend an hour at The Blue Lagoon.
(Running time: 50 minutes)
