On Broadway: A Review of "Curtains"

If you just want to see a musical for the big bucks you pay for your theatre ticket, then do not go to see Curtains. But if you want more entertainment for your buck, if you want to see an innovative musical, comedy, romance, drama, and mystery all at once, then you do not want to miss Curtains.

Curtains is a musical about making a musical. In the musical being made, the leading (bitch) lady is murdered. Every cast and crew member is fodder for Lieutenant Cioffi's (Pierce) keen wits. Motives materialize, suspicions swell and secrets unfurl amid superb song and dance numbers. Who did it? Why did they do it? Was it murder for the show, career advancement, or to hide dirty little secrets? Was it murder for love? Romance certainly blooms amid superb acting of the entire cast, an enchanting musical score, and laugh-aloud humor. Was it the aspiring understudy, producer, or director? Whodunit? Was it the man, himself, in charge of the investigation, Lieutenant Cioffi?

David Hyde Pierce, well known for his role as Niles Crane on the hit television show Frasier, is charismatic in his role as Lieutenant Frank Cioffi. From the moment he steps onto the stage to rave applause, he graces the audience with his versatile talents. He can sing; he can dance; he can draw the audience into drama one minute and educe its laughter the next. Pierce never falls short of the mark. He is on or above it at all times proving himself to be a captivating leading man.

Debra Monk is stunning in her role as, Carmen Bernstein, producer and wife of the staged musical's producer. She sings with a beautifully memorable voice and her delivery of adult humor is precise and hilarious.

Karen Ziemba (Georgia Hendricks) along with being an amazing dancer looks beautiful in every costume. The costumes of Curtains are a sight to behold in themselves deserving of an award.

Jason Danieley (Aaron Fox) has a voice with the power to make people hear and feel it with their hearts.

Jill Paice (Niki Harris) danced and sang her little heart out, however, her acting fell just a little short of the mark. There was just a little something missing in the believability of her role which, fortunately, was not enough to deter from the overall brilliance of Curtains.

Edward Hibbert (Christopher Belling) is a pure comedic genius. His sarcastic "zingers" zapped the audience every time. The industry should create a "zing and zap" award just for Hibbert.

Megan Sikora, in her role as Bambi Bernet, is funny, sexy, provocative, and a charismatic dancer who captures the audience's eyes and does not return them until she is ready.

Unfortunately, time and space do not allow for a comment on every member of this wonderful ensemble. However, this review would not be complete without mention of Ernie Sabella's role as Sidney Bernstein, the musical within a musical's producer. Sabella is a gifted veteran actor who delivered a very funny and entertaining performance.

If you are in the New York area, or planning a visit, get your tickets for Curtains as soon as possible, because you want to be seated in the audience of Curtains when the curtain opens.

For ticket information visit, www.playbill.com. Half-price tickets "may" be available at TKTS in the Marriott Hotel in Times Square on the day of the show. Tickets are sold on a first-come-first-served basis. There is no guarantee tickets will be available on any given day.

Sources: Attendance and Playbill

Theatre: Al Hirschfeld, 302 West 45^th St., New York, NY 10036

Showtime: September 22, 2007, 8:00 p.m.

Starring: David Hyde Pierce, Debra Monk, Karen Ziemba, Jason Danieley, Jill Paice, Edward Hibbert, John Bolton, Michael X. Martin, Michael McCormick, Noah Racey, Ernie Sabella, Megan Sikora

Book by: Rupert Holmes, Music by: John Kander, Lyrics by: Fred Ebb, Original Book and Concept by: Peter Stone