Sweet Smell of Success

Circle Theatre Company

7300 W. Madison, Forest Park, IL

http://www.circle-theatre.org/

 

We’ve all done it.  Indeed, we no doubt do it many times a day, and often with many different people at the same time.  What is “it”?  Gossip.  On the phone. At work.  With friends. Indeed, gossip is one of those activities that all mankind has in common. (of course, as my Grandma says “It’s not gossip if it’s the truth!”.  Which means I never gossip….)  

 

The 2002 Tony Award winning musical Sweet Smell of Success examines the sleazy and numbing underbelly of the industry that feeds America’s thirst for gossip – tabloid journalism.  Circle Theatre has scored a theatrical coup in presenting the post-Broadway regional premiere of this retooled piece.  The Broadway version, with music by Marvin Hamlisch (Chorus Line, The Way We Were) and starring John Lithgow and Brian d’Arcy James, was a highly-sanitized version of the 1957 movie of the same name.  The re-worked version, however, wisely returns to the original film-noir feel of the movie, where there is no rainbow, and everything’s not coming up roses.   

 

Sweet Smell of Success plays out in the world of a major city newspaper, The Globe.  JJ Hunsecker, performed with subtle demonic skill by Jon Steinhagen, is the highly-influential editor of The Globe’s gossip column – he has the power to make or break any star’s career or to ruin any marriage.  Helping Hunsecker in his endeavor is his newly-selected, eager and wide-eyed apprentice, Sidney Falco, played by Michael Mahler.  Mahler shows off his thespian prowess as the story transpires, where we see Falco’s wide eyes darken and his principles crumble as he is overcome with the weight and stench of cynicism and inflated self-importance.  Katrina Kuntz sufficiently manages the role of Hunsecker’s down-trodden half-sister. 

 

Sets and lights are sparse, keeping with the dark and sleek look of classic film-noir.  The orchestrations have been adroitly pared down to a jazz quartet by the music director, Peter J. Storms.  Vocally the cast sounds great, especially when the serving as an ominous, but swing-tempoed, Greek chorus. Memorable songs include “Welcome to the Night”, “What You Gonna Do”, and “For Susan”.  Notably, Darci Nalepa, playing Falco’s girlfriend Rita, delivers an endearing version of “Rita’s Tune”.

 

True, there are some problems with the show.  Lacking the luxury of a large stage and adept dancers, the dance sequences go on too long (and it could be argued that they should be cut altogether).  The book tends to be clunky in spots, especially when dealing with the brother-sister relationship.  But in the end, Circle Theatre pulls off an enjoyable and thought-provoking production. 

 

Ironically, though Sweet Smell was written and produced in the 1950’s, it is still very poignant today, especially considering the recent bribery scandals involving the gossip column Page Six of the New York Post.  I could go on and tell you more about this scandal, but then, I’m not one to gossip.

 

Rating: 3.5 stars

 

 

Reviewed by Scotty Zacher

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