Review: “Love Actually? The Unauthorized Musical Parody” presented by Right Angle Entertainment
Natalie Rine, Contributing Critic - New York City
Now playing in midtown at the Jerry Orbach Theater at the Theater Center is the latest parody musical tourist-trap churned out by wunderkinds Bob and Tobly McSmith, this one right in time for the holidays. “Love Actually? The Unauthorized Musical Parody” charms its way into your heart from the second you can take lobby photos with the iconic cue cards from the movie, and from there it only continues to spiral into a zany, enthusiastic flurry of Christmas-themed fun.
For those unfamiliar with the cult-favorite, celebrity-crammed film from 2003, the plot is one ripe for the picking as far as parody is concerned. Rather than follow one plot, the movie ping-pongs between interweaving relationships, bouncing from couple to couple in storylines and characters that barely (and even if, vaguely) overlap in their respective searches for love. Directed with fluid ferocity by Tim Drucker, the musical treats this with hilarious, remarkable speed fast enough to give you whiplash. In the hands of this expert cast of six, the piece flies through scene after scene of over-the-top characterizations and misadventures.
For this Christmas feast, all the trimmings are here: witty dialogue, homage to the film’s lovable moments, and lots and lots of gag humor that has you laughing harder than you may have thought possible. Leading the pack is Kayla Catan, a burst of unbelievable comedic energy and joy, who bounces between nailing a myriad of characters most notably including Keira Knightley right down to her iconic pearly smile. It certainly helps that the script is written in a way that even those who have not seen the movie can follow along the hilarity; most characters are simply referred to by their real-life celebrity actor counterpart, so you can roll in the aisles laughing with the rest of us when Alan Rickman is portrayed like Snape, Chiwetel Ejiofor (Tony Tillman) makes a two second appearance, Liam Neeson (Daniel Hayward) worries his son is going to be “taken,” and Hugh Grant (a side-splitting Eric Peters) declares he’s the savior of rom-coms. Joining them is Laura Linney, (Joyah Spangler) bemoaning what she’s even doing acting in a film like this as the “token American,” winning us over with her jazzy and soaring voice in a few show-stopping power ballads. Then there’s Colin Firth (James Parks) falling in love with a woman who doesn’t speak English (the movie’s Aurélia is “Areola” here) and being perhaps the most ridiculed of all the original plotlines for it’s absurdity, their language barrier in the musical doesn’t disappoint with its comedic flair.
Every moment of this toe-tapping, lightning-round rom-com is perfected to a T, even down to the props design by Ryan Howell eliciting a chuckle for the likes of Alan Rickman’s wand or the cereal aptly-named Soggy British Oats. Charming choreography by Brooke Engen keeps us spinning along with this carousel of lovers, keeping the pace and comedy in every lean gesture. Speaking of gestures, this classic tale would be nowhere if not for their glorification of the “Grand Gesture,” including those cue cards, and fans of the movie won’t be disappointed by the show’s thorough reverence, mining every second possible for comedic gold.
Forget the necklace Alan Rickman, buy your loved ones a ticket to “Love Actually?” and they will thank you, actually.
Love Actually? The Unauthorized Musical Parody
Right Angle Entertainment’s “Love Actually? The Unauthorized Musical Parody,” is written by Bob and Tobly McSmith and directed by Tim Drucker. Cast includes Kayla Catan, Meg Halcovage, Daniel Hayward, James Parks, Eric Peters, Thanos Skouteris, Joyah Spangler, and Tony Tillman. Production team includes Basil Winterbottom (Music & Orchestrations), Brooke Engen (Choreographer), Curtis Reynolds (Music Director), Ryan Howell (Scenic & Prop Designer), Dustin Cross (Costume & Wig Designer), Weston G. Wetzel (Lighting Designer), Matthew Fischer (Sound Designer), and Christopher Ketner (General Manager/Associate Producer). Run time is 90 minutes with no intermission.
“Love Actually? The Unauthorized Musical Parody” has a limited-engagement run through January 14th in the Jerry Orbach Theater at The Theater Center, 1627 Broadway. Tickets as low as $35 can be purchased online. Learn more about the show at: www.loveactuallyparody.com
Photo: Eric Peters and Kayla Catan by Jeremy Daniel