Thursday, August 30, 2012
As I see so many Broadway shows, I know how rare it is for a show to arrive on Broadway that truly does warm the heart. Chaplin delivers on all accounts.
Perhaps it is the adoration that our culture has towards The Little Tramp that spills over into this production - but the feat of capturing that charm is itself amazing.
There is nothing earth shattering here. This does not try in any way to re-define the form, as many shows try so desperately to do today. Chaplin is a traditional book musical with a traditional story - good guy goes bad needs redemption - but it is just lovely.
I'm not sure this will have an extended life here on Broadway - it's not gimmicky enough to live on for years (and that is part of its charm) - but it will live on in regional and community theatres and school productions for years to come.
Chaplin is playing at The Ethel Barrymore Theatre. Tickets can be purchased here.
