"MOST LIKELY TO...
The Senior Superlative Musical"
(at the Players Theater, New York City)
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"Most Likely To: the Senior Superlative Musical," which this reviewer caught recently at the Players Theatre in Greenwich Village, is a work in progress. It is to be hoped that Michael Tester--who has written the book, music, and lyrics--will continue to develop the show. As seen by this reviewer during its early-2010 tryout, it is too long and uneven; but there are moments in this evocation of high-school life that succeed brilliantly, insightful moments that fleetingly but perfectly capture aspects of adolescence. The energy is good; Tester understands kids; the melodies are agreeable; there's lots of potential here. A firm--not indulgent--director, dramaturg, or co-author could help Tester excise the parts that at present simply don't work, revise those parts that could be saved, and preserve and build upon those parts that succeed brilliantly.
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The current cast of 12 actors (seven females, five males) includes several performers who are very good (Lyle Colby Mackston, Sarah Sixt, Katie Hoffman, Alexander Greif), and one who is outstanding: Christopher Hlinka's comic timing is just delicious. He's got personality aplenty. The vivid characterization he creates, playing "Skylar"--a high-strung, eccentrically paranoid, flighty young man--is always interesting. Hlinka is a terrific scene-stealer. In years to come, I have a feeling we'll be hearing more from this amusing newcomer (who's not yet out of college). And Tester certainly has written engaging material for him. Any time Hlinka is on stage, the show is more fun.
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But some of the segments in this revue fall flat; for example, the New-Age hippie type of character ("Summer") seems synthetic; the character's songs and patter, at present, feel like filler-material. And the song in which a girl says it's possible to have both brains and beauty seems both preachy and obvious.
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| But there is a need for a show like this, aimed at adolescents, that is not quite as dark and angsty as "Spring Awakening" and not quite as simplistic and cartoonish as Disney's "High School Musical." If Tester can make the tough choices--cutting the tedious spots and bringing the whole level up to that of the spots that really work--"Most Likely To..."could be published for the high-school-plays market, and my hunch is that kids in schools would enjoy doing it.
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| It's not there yet. But the best moments are very likeable. And at every school, there will be kids who can relate to one character or another--whether it's the girl who loves drama but is always cast in small roles, the kid with a hopeless crush, or the "Goths " trying to explain the meaning of "Emo." And Tester is observant; he gets small details right, that feel quite contemporary (like the student vainly spraying disinfectant, in this age of Swine Flu and other invisible threats).
I'm disappointed there was not more dancing in the show; obvious opportunities to add life, via choreography, were missed. And if some of these college-kids-playing-high-school-kids aren't the strongest dancers; the producers simply have to look harder in casting future productions. I've seen younger performers in regional productions of "Les Miz" and "Theory of Relativity" that were genuine triple-threat actor-singer-dancers. The talent is out there.
--- CHIP DEFFAA
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