Clueless, The Musical

In "Clueless, The Musical" the brisk and bouncy stage adaptation of the 1995 film, Cher (Dove Cameron) lives a comfortable upscale existence in a mansion with her single father (Chris Hoch) - just like Emma in the Jane Austen novel on which the movie, and now the stage musical are loosely based.

Pert, perky and super-trendy, Cher can't resist playing Cupid and inserting herself in other people's lives. To better her grades, she successfully arranges a date between two of her teachers, but our well-intentioned heroine is blithely ignorant of the trouble she will cause when she attempts to do the same for Tai (Effie Aardema), the "tragically unhip" new girl at school. Cher's schemes are executed with the assistance of her equally fashionable best pal Dionne (Zurin Villanueva) and under the critical eye of her nerd/hunk ex-step-brother Josh (Dave Thomas Brown), who mocks her materialism and superficiality. Of course, in Austen-land, Josh and Cher are meant for each other - as soon as they learn a few life lessons.

Set in 1990s Beverly Hills, the musical, with book and lyrics by Amy Heckerling who wrote and directed the film, adheres closely to the movie's plot, and skillfully maintains its light, satiric tone and many of the zingy one-liners. The film was contemporary when it was released, while the musical is a winking, nostalgic nod to the 1990s.

A variation on the so-called "jukebox musical," (which has so many variations that it no longer makes sense to lump all shows without original scores under the term), "Clueless, the Musical" revises the lyrics to a slew of hit pop songs from the period, opening with a rousing "It's A Beautiful Life" by Ace of Base, and closing with a jubilant "Kids in America" by Kim Wilde, with Natalie Imbruglia's "Torn," Nsync's "Bye Bye Bye," Destiny's Child's "Say My Name," TLC's "No Scrubs" driving the plot. The musical numbers are exuberantly sung by the nimble cast, and Ethan Popp's driving arrangements and orchestrations are pumped out by Musical Director Matthew Smedal's six-piece band.

Beowulf Boritt's set design is like birthday-present, with an upstage flat resembling a gift box with pop-out panels, and a ribbon extending out into the audience of the Griffin Theatre at Pershing Square Signature Center. Toy-like set pieces and period furniture are whisked on and off to suggest multiple locations, abetted by Darrel Maloney's "product placement" projections. Amy Clark's giddy costumes and Jason Lyon's neon party lights make this slick, candy-colored fantasy world even more scrumptious.

Dove Cameron is adorable as Cher, as she confides in the audiences in direct address and navigates through her charmed life with giddy aplomb. Chris Noth proves a resourceful comedian in a variety of roles as the only male adult on stage. Villanueva and Gilbert L. Bailey II as Murray are lively as the quarreling lovers, and Aardema and Will Connolly as Travis, the pothead, make an enjoyably quirky odd couple.

Unfortunately for "Clueless, The Musical" there has been a glut on the market of teen musicals of late, and not enough distinguishes this show from "Heathers," "Bring It On," "The Prom," "Be More Chill," and most specifically, "Mean Girls." Apparently, as the years pass, very little changes in high schools - or at least, in high school musicals - and the show traffics in well-worn tropes. While the use of rewritten pop songs is often playful, some of the new lyrics don't sit well on the music, and many of the songs are performed in snippets, ending as soon as the joke of recognition lands. The ensemble moves dynamically, and the nearly non-stop dances are fast and frenzied, but much of the choreography feels familiar. The show is directed with verve by Kristin Hanggi, who effortlessly sustains the show's buoyant bounce.

The stage musical adaptation of "Clueless," is not groundbreaking, but it's satisfyingly, even relentlessly upbeat, and good fun.

"Clueless, The Musical" continues through January 12 at the Pershing Square Signature Center, 480 West 42nd Street, New York, NY. For more information, visit the New Group's website.