On & Off Broadway

‘Trip of Love’

Reviewed by Elyse Trevers

Posted

Am I the only one getting tired of jukebox musicals? Yet despite a series of mediocre attempts, I still find myself hoping for another Jersey Boys or Movin' Out. Sadly the new Off-Broadway show, Trip of Love, which originated in Japan of all places, is one more disappointment. The show is created, directed and choreographed by James Walski, who tries to tap into ’60s nostalgia.

Using a fairly talented young cast, the show feebly incorporates more than 25 popular songs from the time period. The trouble is that the songs are not in any particular order and often have no connection to what’s happening on stage. A young girl falls down the rabbit hole (one pill makes you small) and, after taking magical mushrooms, dreams and imagines the songs and events. Oy!

There are six vocal leads, each representing a type. Laurie Wells is the Earth Mother, who sings some lovely ballads. However, most of the songs in the show go on too long. When George (David Elder) sings “The Girl From Ipanema” he sings it first in Portuguese and then again in English. Unfortunately, the two principals have weak voices and little stage presence.


For the intended audience, these songs represent their formative years. It is more than nostalgia. So if you are trying to attract people who love the music, you must be careful to preserve the integrity of the arrangements. Walski seems to have no clear focus except that he wanted to present and choreograph this music.

Although many in the audience seemed quite happy with the show, I kept envisioning shows on a large cruise ship or small Vegas hotel rather than a NY theater. Someone has invested a lot of money on costumes and technology for this musical. Many of the scenes are lavishly produced but why do that when the original song sounded so great with just a singer and a guitar?

Maybe I'm just old-fashioned or a purist, but if you are going to invoke the classics, you have to present it as it was or better. In the meantime I'll still be hopeful about jukebox musicals. Next week is a new one featuring the music of Gloria Estefan. Maybe that one will be great.