I am a big fan of a quirky, comedic Off-Broadway musical. Shows that come to mind are Murder for Two, The Other Josh Cohen, The Toxic Avenger, and the granddaddy of them all, Little Shop of Horrors. Now, I can add Bigfoot – the Musical.
The show, perfectly directed and choreographed by Danny Mefford, who also helmed the lively revival of this season’s The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, has a very funny book by Amber Ruffin and Kevin Scirette. The jokes comes fast and furious. I haven’t laughed this much in a show for a long time.
Grey Henson and Crystal Lucas-Perry in Bigfoot! Photo by Marc J. Franklin.
Bigfoot, outfitted in a plush, bear-like
outfit by Costume Designer Ricky Reynoso, is played by Grey Henson, who
delivers another exuberant performance on a New York stage (Mean Girls,
Shucked, Elf). He’s a cross between
Chewbacca and a Care Bear. The score by
Amber Ruffin and David Schmoll is the weakest link of the production. Still, within the confines of the show, the
songs are workmanlike, and somewhat catchy.
Set within Scenic Designer Tim Mackabee’s brightly colored, cartoonish backdrops, the plot has Bigfoot living alone in the woods outside Muddirt, a town trying to survive between a chemical dump and a nuclear power plant. Bigfoot’s mother, Francine (played by the very funny Crystal Lucas-Perry, who displays impressive vocal chops), seeks to protect him from the small-minded townsfolks. Jade Jones, showing comic grit, plays multiple roles in the musical, along with other members of the acting troupe. Mama’s ally in protecting her eight-foot biped is the decent, virtuous town doctor (flawlessly portrayed by Jason Tam). Adding to the troubles of our hairy hero is the crooked mayor of Muddirt (a hilarious, over-the-top performance by SNL alum Alex Moffat) who, when not drunk, is scheming to profit by transforming the town to a large-scale water park. The only problem – Bigfoot. He hires a hyper aggressive huntress (played with manic glee by Katerina McCrimmon) to rid him of the problem. Will she succeed? Will Muddirt by saved? What about mama’s chronic illness and constant near-death episodes? Spoiler alert – there is a cuddly happy ending.
The cast of Bigfoot - the Musical. Photo by Mark J. Franklin.
Bigfoot –
the Musical, 90 minutes of gleeful entertainment, playing through April 26
Off-Broadway at New York City Center Stage.
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