Love Affair - Legacy Theatre

Love Affair, the new musical receiving its world premiere at the Legacy Theatre, is based on the long forgotten 1939 film of the same name.  In this reviewer’s opinion, the story requires suspending logic and plausibility, even though the plot was probably not out-of-place in the 1930’s.  While the small show has an engaging cast, some tuneful songs and snappy choreography, the musical’s book letdowns the production. 

 

Janet Dickinson, Amber Emerson, Dominic Pagliaro, Emily Steinhardt and Michelle Aravena. Photo by Sam Bibbins.

Essentially, the plot for Love Affair is one of the mainstays of theater and film – boy meets girl, boy loses girl, boy gets girl.  Jamie Burnett’s Scenic Design successfully utilizes painted backdrops, vintage travel posters, and a small staircase to evoke the two locales of the production.   

 

The Act I setting is aboard the cruise liner, S.S. Napoli.  There, we meet Michel Marnet, a good-looking Frenchman and Casanova, played with perfect aplomb by Michael Starr.  He is a failed painter, but his outlook is bright, now that he is engaged to an American heiress waiting for him in New York City.  On board, Michel serendipitously encounters Terry McKay (Michelle Aravena), a more practical, play-by-the-rules woman who also happens to be betrothed. Her fiancée, conveniently, is also not on board.  A whirlwind romance ensues during the 8-day voyage.  When they dock, plans are made, but tragedy upends their future together.  However, in the end, love wins out as Michel and Terry triumph over adversary.

 

Michelle Aravena and Michael Starr. Photo by Sam Bibbins.

Love Affair has a libretto, music, and lyrics by Joseph J. Simeone.  Along with Matthew Couvillon, he is the co-choreographer, production designer and co-director.  Having one person with so many key responsibilities for a musical can be problematic, especially when decisions on editing and artistic direction are at issue.  Simeone, for the most part, is able to steer clear of difficulties except with the book of the show, which closely follows the course of the movie.  Act I is breezy, well-paced, and allows time for the two central characters to meet and fall in love.  Act 2, though, is too hurried, with multiple scenes and plotlines squeezed into a short time frame that, ultimately, undermines the musical.  Here, as with Act I, less would have been more.  There was also an overuse of hackneyed, cliché snatches of dialog, especially for Terry’s jocular friend Phyllis.

 

The company of Love Affair.  Photo by Sam Bibbins.  

Joseph J. Simeone’s score has lovely melodies with serviceable lyrics, especially those numbers in the first half of the show. There is an array of upbeat, sometimes infectious songs and moving ballads that help set the musical’s mood of romance and optimism.  The solo piano accompanying the score, under the superb musicianship of Music Director Bill Speed, successfully sets the overall, carefree ambiance for the show.  As choreographers, Couvillon and Simeone enliven scenes on the small Legacy stage with surprising effectiveness.  His direction, along with Joseph J. Simeone, moves the story along at a suitable, unhurried pace, which allows the focus to be on the blossoming romance during Act I.  As stated before, the directors need to reexamine their approach during Act 2.

 

The talented cast works well-together and the two leads have a real chemistry together.  Michael Starr is handsome and debonair as the womanizing Michel Marnet.  He possesses an outsized personality, but also brings forth a tenderness and introspection to the role.  Michelle Aravena is well-cast as the proper, decorous Terry McKay.  While not providing a lot of nuance to the role she, nonetheless, comes across as an independent woman seeking true love.  Emily Steinhardt is fine as Phyllis Knoefler, Terry’s wisecracking best friend.  As written the role has little shading.  Ms. Knoefler does have a gorgeous voice, which she shows off in many musical numbers.  Janet Dickinson seems to be having a grand time playing multiple, mostly comedic characters.  The actress, though, also gives a moving performance as the forlorn Madeline. Michel’s loving aunt.

 

Love Affair, playing at the Legacy Theatre through August 25.  Click here for dates, times, and ticket information.