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Phoenix Theatre
When the Phoenix Theatre offered the world premiere of this musical back in 2009, here’s what I wrote:
“Inspired by Gilbert & Sullivan, "Zoomerville" is imprinted with influences from Steven Sondheim to Andy Prieboy (whose club musical, "White Trash Wins Lotto," is the closest thing I've seen to it in style and spirit). But I don't want to give too much credit to its antecedents at the expense of praise for the relentless creativity of playwright/co-lyricist Jack O'Hara, aided and abetted by composer Tim Brickley. The densely (and hilariously) packed lyrics and jaunty score are both stronger than any reasonable theatergoer would expect. And Phebe Taylor and Scot Greenwell stand out in the plum parts of pageant queen Happenstance Throttlehopper and rookie racer John Hoosier Lordyboy Jr. ‘Zoomerville’ offers two hours of joyful silliness—OK, maybe an hour and a half, with some easily trimmable filler—that, I believe, could break out of this market and reach a wider audience. Do I smell a future ‘Urinetown’?”
Well, Taylor and Greenwell are back. The show has been trimmed. And the engines start this week. I’ll race you there. Details here.
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