Stephen Sondheim’s cult ‘Whistle’ encored

‘Anyone Can Whistle' wins a spirited concert revival at City Center

BY MICHAEL SOMMERS

NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

OFF BROADWAY REVIEW

A must-see for devoted Stephen Sondheim fans and an utter bewilderment for anybody else, the great composer's legendary and rarely performed "Anyone Can Whistle" was brought back to spirited life on Thursday thanks to New York City Center's Encores! series of American musicals staged as concerts.

A nine-performance Broadway flop in 1964, the show was survived by an impressive cast album that made it forever a cult item for Sondheimaniacs. Written with Arthur Laurents, it's a clever, tuneful but totally bizarre tale about a corrupt town that fosters a phony miracle and — well, the sardonic complications involve a loony bin of characters best left to aficionados of lost musicals.

Personally, for all of its flaws and wacky excesses of experimentation (or perhaps because of them), I have long loved this crazy musical and accordingly enjoyed a fine time at Encores' sweet, snazzy production that continues through Sunday at City Center.

Director-choreographer Casey Nicholaw has assembled a crackerjack company and spins them expertly through the musical's madcap doings.

Jazzing around in a blond beehive as a crooked mayor, Donna Murphy dazzles with her antic disposition and vibrant singing. Sutton Foster ardently portrays a buttoned-down soul who exquisitely flowers during the poignant title ballad. Projecting a fervent magnetism as the stranger who polarizes the town, Raul Esparza commands the milling crowd scenes only to turn oh-so tender in his intimate moments.

The wildly zigzagging storyline climaxes — some might say explodes — during a lengthy ballet sequence performed to a wicked Tchaikovsky musical send-up that Nicholaw amusingly choreographs with "Swan Lake" trimmings.

Excepting some sour strings, the onstage orchestra swiftly directed by Rob Berman does beautifully by Sondheim's bright, ambitious, tricky score and Don Walker's colorful orchestrations. Designer Ken Billington's lighting splashes John Lee Beatty's scenic bits as well as the story with drama.

Although this adventurous opus isn't a show for mass consumption, it's great to see it served so well as a nice slice of cake in honor of Sondheim's 80th birthday.

"Anyone Can Whistle" continues through Sunday at New York City Center, 131 W. 55th St., New York. Call (212) 581-1212 or visit www.nycitycenter.org.