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REVIEW: ‘Nymph Errant’ pops up in New York

Saturday, 14 July 2012 11:05

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Evangeline is sung and played prettily but unassertively by Jennifer Blood, a willowy, dimpled blond who resembles Sarah Jessica Parker without the verve. It is too bad that “The Physician,” which somewhat defines Evangeline’s ambivalent nature, was reassigned to the role of Haidee, a Memphis born chanteuse. A young Elisabeth Welch became a London star as Haidee in 1933, but here Natalie E. Carter heartily embodies the singer as a middle-aged red-hot-mama type.

Evangeline’s school chums, who intermittently materialize in the plot, are brightly played by Sara Jayne Blackmore, Laura Cook, Amy Jo Jackson and Aubrey Sinn. They further depict chorus girls, tourists, servants and other background figures.

Speaking of the background, designer Brian Prather’s clever scenery involves steamer trunks that open to disclose amusing bits of geographical atmosphere (a desert oasis location is depicted by a box of sand, toy palm trees and a pack of Camel cigarettes). Costume designer Whitney Locher dresses everybody attractively in snazzy ‘30s modes and otherwise discreetly outfits the members of a nudist colony.

The music arrangements and orchestrations by Frederick Alden Terry possess period flavor and are sweetly rendered by the performers and a five-member band.

Staging the show swiftly and confidently, director-choreographer Will Pomerantz gives his production the stylized feeling of a cartoon, which suits the trivial story, but makes sure that these comical matters never descend into camp. This bijou realization of a jumbo-scaled musical is a canny way to bring the zany “Nymph Errant” to life.

“Nymph Errant” continues through July 29 at the Houseman Theater/Theater Row, 410 W. 42nd St., New York. Call (212) 239-6200 or visit www.prospecttheater.org.