42nd Street

Set in 1933, at the height of the great Depression, "42nd Street" is an over-the-top, energetic spectacle that comes bursting out of the gate with a fantastic group tap number and never lets up. Julian Marsh (Matthew J. Taylor) is hired to direct a musical within the musical, "Pretty Lady."

The Big Crash has left him broke and he's desperate for a hit. Despite being temperamental and demanding, Dorothy Brock (Kaitlin Lawrence) is hired to play the lead because her sugar daddy is bankrolling the production. Then, fresh off the farm Peggy Sawyer (Caitlin Ehlinger) crashes the party and steals the show -- and some hearts along the way.

It's a light-hearted romp with a slight story. The stakes are never that high (none of the chorines are even envious or covetous when Peggy comes along and takes the spotlight; they literally suggest she take the lead instead of wanting it for themselves!), but the entire cast, from the leads through to the chorus, is so vivacious, and the dance numbers are so dazzling, it doesn't matter.

The second half is largely made up of numbers from "Pretty Lady," mostly, it seems, because the real story has essentially already been exhausted. But it never strives to be more than a glitzy trifle and it's so perfect at it that it hits every right note.

Choreographer Randy Skinner, who also choreographed the 2001 revival, for which he received a Tony nomination for his effort, whips his actors into a zesty froth. Some of the crazy tap sequences will leave you breathless. So much is asked of the entire ensemble yet they only ever look dewy and fresh, nailing the "Gee, whiz!" sense of the show itself.

At some points there are like 35 people onstage, all singing and dancing, and they make it look effortless and spacious. Roger Kirk, the costume designer, clothes them all in fantastic wardrobes. There are so many sequins, colors, hats, feathers, gowns, flowers, you might find yourself coughing up some glitter the next day.

Director Mark Bramble, who directed the 2001 revival and also received a Tony nomination for his work, keeps everything moving at a fever pitch. The three leads are spot-on, but everyone in the cast is, with Blake Stadnik as Billy, a tenor in the chorus, being a real standout. Every number pops, with "Dames," "There's a Sunny Side to Ev'ry Situation," and the title song being particularly wowing. And, of course, there are classic songs like "I Only Have Eyes For You," "We're in the Money" and "Lullaby of Broadway" interspersed reminding you how long those songs have been part of our social fabric.

"42nd Street," the stage show, isn't necessarily as old as you're thinking. It opened in August of 1980, but because it's based on a classic 1933 film (which is based on a largely forgotten book), it was steeped in our culture decades before hitting the Great White Way. As an interesting side note, in the novel by Bradford Ropes, Julian and Billy have a love affair, which was refashioned for the film and remains that way for the musical.

Even with that revision, you can't go wrong with this production. It's so thrilling, you might even be tempted to throw on some tap shoes and dance your way home.

"42nd Street" runs through June 19 at the Pantages Theatre, 6233 Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90028. For tickets or information, call 800-982-2787 or visit HollywoodPantages.com