Honeymoon In Vegas Review – Go For The Music, Stay For The Elvis Impersonators

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Writing reviews to send out is actually quite difficult for me.  The truth is, I’m a theatre snob, and I’m pretty hard to please.  Without creative geniuses such as Rodgers and Hammerstein, Leonard Bernstein, or even Stephen Sondheim, it’s hard for me to give my endorsement.  Not this time.  You will love ‘Honeymoon In Vegas’.


 
This new musical is based on the movie of the same name, starring Sarah Jessica Parker, Nicolas Cage and James Caan.  The book was written by Andrew Bergman, who wrote the screenplay.  So now you know it’s funny, not show-biz funny, but actually funny.
 
Here’s the story.  Jack Singer is a marriage-phobic guy who finally asks his girlfriend, Betsy, to marry him.  They go to Vegas to seal the deal when they meet Tommy Korman, an older man and a gambler, who falls for Betsy.  This is a sort of second chance at love for him, as she reminds him of his wife who passed away.  After Jack somehow loses Betsy in a card game, Tommy brings Betsy to Hawaii for wedded bliss.  This love triangle forces Jack to step up and fight for his true love. Now who can’t relate to that?
 
In the lead roles are Tony Danza, who is barely recognizable as he embodies his character, and he’s fantastic, Rob McClure (Tony nom for Chaplin), and Brynn O’Malley.  The supporting cast is also filled with Broadway regulars. There are NO amateurs here. 
 
Of course I’ve saved the best for last.  It is, after all, a musical, and the music and lyrics are by Tony Award winner, Jason Robert Brown.  For those of you who don’t know of him, he’s one of the best writers for the theater we have today, and one of my personal favorites.  If you don’t have his music on your mix tape, get it, now.  He wrote the wonderful score to ‘The Last Five Years’, which is now a movie starring Anna Kendrick, and The Bridges of Madison County musical.  He’s just brilliant.  Now you know what I’m listening to on the treadmill most days.
 
The only thing missing from Honeymoon In Vegas is Disney, so you can’t bring the kids.  And while no appreciates Disney more than me for lighting up Broadway, sometimes we need to get a babysitter, hike to the city, and enjoy a completely wonderful, adult night at the theatre. 

Honeymoon in Vegas a delightful trip through a funny night, of love, romance, quickies, blinding neon lights, gambler’s fever, and ultimately love!  Full of laughs! Go for the music, stay for the Elvis impersonators!

For more information: http://www.classact-entertainment.com/