‘42nd Street’ is Bucks County Playhouse’s largest musical since its 2012 reopening
By Samantha Bambino
The Times
The Bucks County Playhouse wasn’t kidding when it branded its 42nd Street cast as “tap happy.” Whether it’s cramp-rolling to lunch or time-stepping to dress rehearsal, the ensemble’s pleasant clicking and clattering hardly ceases during the show’s two-plus-hour run time. But when the heart of the plotline is Broadway stardom, what else can you expect?
Through Aug. 4, audiences can enjoy BCP’s largest musical to date since its reopening in 2012. Boasting a massive cast of both Broadway veterans and newcomers, the iconic, Tony Award-winning 42nd Street follows the journey of Peggy Sawyer, a talented young performer from Allentown looking for her big break in New York.
Tessa Grady, who stars as Peggy, wonderfully portrays the role of a bright-eyed, aspiring entertainer who’s naive to the cutthroat nature of the Big Apple. A newbie to the BCP stage, Grady’s past credits include Broadway’s Dames at Sea and Cinderella, as well as Off/Pre-Broadway’s Clueless, The Honeymooners, Carefree: Dancing with Fred and Ginger, First Wives Club, Gotta Get a Girl and Chasing Rainbows.
Even before the lights go down, Playhouse-goers are sucked into the stressful world of showbiz. For about five minutes prior to the “actual” start of the show (if you’re in line for the bathroom, don’t worry), the ensemble appears on stage for an impromptu tap rehearsal. Though the moves are simple and the performers appear to just be warming up, the audience is able to steal a glimpse into the the magnitude of their talent.
As dance director Andy Lee, played by Matt Bauman (BCP’s National Pastime), attempts to whip his cast into shape for the show-within-a-show Pretty Lady, Peggy crashes the rehearsal, hours late because of a train mishap. Despite only being armed with a suitcase and one stage credit to her name (Miss Allentown), this spunky, soon-to-be star refuses to take “no” for an answer.
Throughout 42nd Street, this drive and determination sticks with Peggy, whom you just can’t help but root for. Grady gives the character a charmingly confident persona, a perfect mixture of humbleness and boldness as she navigates jealous co-stars and swooning suitors vying for her attention.
In one particular scene, Peggy is out to lunch with Pretty Lady co-writer Maggie Jones, played by Ruth Gottschall (BCP’s Guys and Dolls), and a few fellow dancers who are less than thrilled about the new arrival. But after Peggy wows them with her tapping talents in the middle of the restaurant, they experience a change of heart.
“Hey, you’re good!,” says Annie, portrayed by Monette McKay (Broadway’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory).
“I know,” replies Peggy, with a smile and flick of her Lucille Ball-esque polka dot dress.
McKay is one of the standouts of the ensemble. Regardless of her short stature, McKay’s powerful voice and hilariously sassy demeanor make her a force to be reckoned with in the cast, naturally drawing the audience’s attention.
Blakely Slaybaugh, who plays the role of Billy Lawlor, is another shining star in 42nd Street. Last seen on the BCP stage as Benny Southstreet in Guys and Dolls, Slaybaugh is a comedic gem as he effortlessly portrays the renowned tenor who doesn’t have much luck with the ladies.
When audiences are first introduced to Billy, he comes off as a bit of a creeper, trying and failing to tap dance his way into Peggy’s heart in the number “Young and Healthy.” But as 42nd Street progresses, Slaybaugh shows some emotional depth to the character, who ends up becoming a friend and confidant to Peggy.
Of course, a review of 42nd Street would not be complete without mentioning Linda Balgord, who (quite literally) commands the stage as Dorothy Brock. She’s that character you love to hate, the villain whom you find yourself feeling bad for even after they’ve done something atrocious. Balgord does a fantastic job of showcasing Dorothy’s many personality traits, which include everything from cheating, demanding Broadway star to advice-giving, maternal figure.
Whether you’re a fan of Dorothy or not, one thing can be agreed upon — Balgord’s regal stage presence. During “I Only Have Eyes For You,” Balgord hardly moves a muscle while standing tall in a glittering ball gown. As she croons out the lyrics with indescribable emotion, she invites audience members into her world, leaving them no choice but to only have eyes for her.
While there is the occasional ballad, 42nd Street has a score chock-full of catchy numbers like “We’re in the Money,” “Shuffle Off To Buffalo” and “Lullaby of Broadway,” all intricately choreographed by Jeremy Dumont. For Playhouse-goers seated on the right side of the theater, take a glance up at the orchestra box during these uptempo performances — you’ll find that the musicians are just as energetic as the performers onstage.
42nd Street plays the following schedule: Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m.; Wednesdays at 2 p.m. (plus an additional evening performance Aug. 1 at 7:30 p.m.); Thursdays at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; Fridays at 8 p.m.; Saturdays at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; and Sundays at 2 p.m. There is an additional matinee on Friday, Aug. 3, at 1 p.m.
Single tickets range from $40-$80. Special rates for groups of 10 or more. Season ticket packages are still available. For more details and to purchase tickets, visit buckscountyplayhouse.org, call 215–862–2121 or visit the box office at 70 S. Main St. in New Hope. ••
Samantha Bambino can be reached at sbambino@newspapermediagroup.com
