Chaplin

     Charlie Chaplin seems to be a figure whose life and career would be ripe for a musical. Previously seen out in California as Limelight, the new musical Chaplin has set itself down over at Broadways Barrymore Theater. This show, while problematic, succeeds overall.

     Chaplin the musical has more than it's fair share of cliches. The central metaphor at work is the circus. The show opens with Charlie high atop the tight wire. With the other characters (whom we shall meet later) asking him "What ya gonna do when it all falls down?". This melody and this life is a circus metaphor are used quite often in the two and a half hour production.

        We're first introduced to Chaplin the man as a child in the Lambeth section of London in the late 1800's. His mother is a singer and his father is a philanderer. It is from these humble roots that Chaplin the star was born, and in these humble London surroundings that he first started performing in stage productions as a comic.

     The show progresses through Charlies start in Hollywood pictures, his many marriages, and his eventual fall from grace. It's a long story, and the authors have chosen to take us through his whole life in one evening. This can make certain moments feel rushed and jarring. For example, his last wife (whom he was with the longest, only gets perhaps 25 minutes of stage time even though they were married for 30 years). Also, no mention of is made of his co-founding United Artists studios, which is still in operation.

     Rob McClure is wonderful as Chaplin. He imbues the character with many shades of grey. We see him as Charlie Chaplin the man, and Charlie Chaplin the little tramp, as well as the womanizer, the director, the perfectionist, and the egotist. Whenever Rob McClure is center stage the play is at it's best. Due to the rushed nature of the book many of the other characters get glossed over and lost in the shuffle. Jenn Colella (who must be glad to be in a Broadway show that has run longer than two months) makes the most of Hedda Hopper. Christiane Knoll also makes an impression as Hannah, Charlies mother. Though she haunts Charlie a bit too often for my taste, her material is some of the best in the show.

      Set Designer Beowulf Borrit has created a wonderful "old Hollywood movie" feel to the set, with everything being in "mostly" black, white, and grey. It really gives the feel of 'the silver screen'. This theme is carried over by Martin Pakledinez and Amy Clark (Mr. Pakledinez tragically died before the show opened) in the costumes.

   Warren Carlyle who is serving as both director and choreographer has done a slick job in making sure that the evening flows smoothly. He is a very talented choreographer and his work here is excellent. Unfortunately everything is weighed down by the mediocre score by Christopher Curtis. Most of the music is wonderful, it's the lyrics that sometimes make you scratch your head. The book (which is also by Curtis) has been helped along by Thomas Meehan.

     Despite it's tepid reception (and mostly thumbs down reviews from professional critics) Chaplin has been doing moderately well at the box office and recently extended it's stay on Broadway into the month of June. If it's still running I would expect it to be nominated for some Tony Awards (particularly Rob McClure and Jenn Colella). So far, it is one of only two new musicals to have opened this season (the other being Bring it on which is better IMO).

  Overall the show is entertaining. Despite it's few problems I would expect that most people will leave the theater humming the tunes and singing the praises of the talented star. Though you may forget the tunes you were humming the next day, you are sure to remember the performance of the exuberant Rob McClure long after you've left Chaplin.