Buffalo Theater: Strong performances buoy lesser-known Kander & Ebb musical

By Nathan Andrew Miller
(Image above: Lisa Ludwig, front and center, anchors a stellar cast)

As Kander and Ebb musicals go, Curtains may not be the first that comes to mind. Those would be Cabaret and Chicago.

Curtains, a show-biz murder mystery, is the last that Ebb contributed to, as he died in 2004 (original bookwriter Peter Stone had also died in 2004). Kander finished the project with Rupert Holmes, famous for The Mystery of Edwin Drood, though probably more famous for “Escape (If You Like Pina Coladas).”

Curtains earned  David Hyde Pierce a 2007 Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical, and seven other nominations, and ran for almost 550 performances on Broadway, enjoying a successful UK Tour revival, which was filmed.

O’Connell and Company, working out of Canterbury Woods Performing Arts Center, makes a valiant effort to bring this rarely-produced musical to life, uniting some of the OCC veterans that audiences have come to expect in a night of theater not short on talent. 

Joey Buchecker directs and choreographs with Audrianna Yates assisting with choreography, and their efforts are strong.The production experienced significant roadblocks to opening, which made me a little more understanding of some of the less sharp moments. Though the choreography is quality, some larger production numbers struggled with consistent execution. This is also the first of several productions I’ve seen where orchestral tracks were utilized where there were moments of disagreement between cast and tracks, musically. 

Where the production shines, and overcomes the complications, is in the performances from its stars. As Lt. Frank Cioffi, Nicholas Lama is giving as strong a performance as I’ve seen in his career. The role calls for excellent comedic timing, charm and a true song and dance man. Lama handles all these items with aplomb — he makes this role effortless. His chemistry with Ashleigh Chrisena Ricci, as Niki Harris, is palpable.

Ricci is wonderful in the role of Niki, the slightly air-headed but sweet and kind ingenue. Her comedic timing is wonderful, her voice clear as a bell, and her “Marge and Gower Champion” fantasy duet with Lama is musical theater at its finest. They are a sweetly matched pair. 

Aimee Walker and Joe Isgar inhabit formerly married lyricist and composer Georgia Hendricks and Aaron Fox. We find out that Fox is struggling with not having his partner in love and music. Isgar has a natural and well supported singing voice, with technique that shines through. There’s a reason he’s renowned in Buffalo as a vocal coach. He gets what is, in my opinion, the best song of the evening in the form of “I Miss the Music.”

In the show, it’s a ballad lamenting his loss of Georgia, but it’s very clear that it’s Kander’s tribute to Ebb. Isgar brings the perfect touch of passion to Aaron, and it’s great to see him back on stage. He also served as music director for the production. Walker is in her element as Georgia, forced to return to her song and dance roots to replace the original star of the fictional Robin’ Hood. Walker sounds great and is still one of the strongest individual dancers in Buffalo. This is a great role for her. 

As egomaniacal British director Christopher Belling, John Kreuzer leans into the trope while still managing to find each moment of humor. As money man Oscar Shapiro, Guy Tomassi makes a return to the stage that, though it may have been slightly underprepared, manages to find his own take on the character. 

But without question, the performance of the evening is Lisa Ludwig as Carmen Bernstein. It’s hard to explain what it looks like to watch Ludwig on stage, except to say that it truly feels effortless. Her comedic timing is unquestionable, her understanding of how to time every line, makes her the perfect leading lady. This brassy producer was played on Broadway by Debra Monk, and Ludwig has every bit as much star power. 

Overall, this is a very strong production of a seldom produced musical. Kudos to OCC for putting it up, and for overcoming adversity to put up an enjoyable performance. 

The show runs through Saturday (May 16) at Canterbury Woods Performing Arts Center, 705 Renaissance Dr., Williamsville. Tickets are available HERE.

Nathan Andrew Miller has a BFA in Theatre Performance and a BA in English from Niagara University and has been reviewing theater in WNY since 2015. Nate is also an actor and director at various local theaters.