David Cassidy on the Web
Why Wait for Fall…The Fig Leaves Are Falling Now
January 16, 2013
www.t2conline.com
Dorothy Loudon and David Cassidy
The original Broadway production of The Fig Leaves Are Falling was titled Birth is the Coward's Way Out and it opened at the Broadhurst Theatre on January 4, 1969 and closed after four performances. George Abbott directed Barry Nelson, Dorothy Loudon, David Cassidy and Jenny O'Hara. Loudon received a Tony Award nomination for her performance. Now Ben West, Artistic Director of Unsung Musicals has a modified production of The Fig Leaves Are Falling that is a perfect creation of the 60's and musicals of that era.
I never knew the show before this and was delighted that this new production showcases the songs with music by Albert Hague (The Grinch Who Stole Christmas) and lyrics by Allan Sherman. There are some wonderful ballads in this piece and though the story ala Promises Promises is 60's trite, the performances, choreography by Richard J Hinds with direction by Ben West, left me satisfied and even wanting more.
The story has Charlie (Matt Walton), the host of a TV talk show interviewing his best friend Harry Stone (Jonathan Rayson) about marriage. Harry, upon reaching middle-age, has never strayed from his wife Lillian (Natalia Venetia Belcon). After their 20thanniversary party, Charlie wants to make love to his wife who would rather clean so the maid won't leave. At work, he's been given a new secretary, Jenny (Morgan Weed), a beautiful young Sarah Lawrence philosophy grad who had all the married middle-aged execs wanting to sleep with her until she was transferred to Harry. Since Harry doesn't try to even touch her, she proposes an affair. Harry acquiesces and leaves Lillian for Jenny. Lillian then decides to have an affair with Harry's best friend, Charlie, but can't and in the end the couple is back together.
The Fig Leaves Are Falling was also a made-for-TV musical, and with songs like "Today I saw a Rose," "We," "Anything Can Happen," "For the Rest of My Life" and "Did I Ever Really Ever Live," I can see why. Had it not been for UnSungMusicals I would have never known these delightful gems.
Jonathan Rayson has a wonderful voice and was completely believable as Harry. Karen Hyland, Nathan Keen, Antuan Raimone, and Morgan Rose as the ensemble and other roles were true triple threats and were point on in all that they did. Matt Walton was the perfect slimy talk show host. Morgan Weed almost stole the show with her radiance, vocals and her dancing. The only weak spot for me was the casting of Natalia Venetia Belcon, who sings in a deep sultry poised style, but is just wrong for the role.
The fig leaves certainly made me fall.
The Fig Leaves Are Falling: UnsungMusicalsCo. at the Connelly Theatre, 220 E. Fourth St. until Jan. 26th.
David Cassidy in "Fig Leaves are Falling"
