OFF-BROADWAY REVIEW
CLICK CLACK MOO
Published 2009-08-06
Should you see "Click, Clack, Moo," through Aug. 28 at Off Broadway's Lucille Lortel Theatre, at 121 Christopher Street ? It's a mooed point. The show is pure pleasure, and tickets are free, for good measure.
You will recall the children's story, in which disgruntled cows get their hooves on a typewriter and issue modest but solemn demands in plain English, which the scornful farmer dismisses until he can no longer ignore them.
In this Theatreworks USA production, Billy Aronson (book) stands these cartoon cows up onstage with smart, sweet dialogue and, together with the songwriters and director John Rando, keeps the show moving at a pace that is hardly bovine. Flashes of humor light up the clever set like fireflies on a warm country evening. Puns, quips, sasses, clashes, explosions of hip-hop, a greasy bit of business with a large cheese pizza and the hysterical appearance of Farmer Brown in a fright wig are all brought off by a cast of skilled comedians.
No one of them stands out; the humor arises from the ensemble, including a trio of cows who play off each other like a well-oiled milking machine, and some lively if defensive chickens.
That said, Michael Thomas Holmes as Loretta is the Jason Alexander of cow players. Drew McVety does a great Farmer Brown slow burn and inhabits the simple character nicely--a foil it's fun to spend an hour with. He is ably assisted by the farmer's granddaughter, Sarah Katherine Gee. DeMond B. Nason, a preening duck, has a jazzy, full-throated facility with both a song and a wisecrack.
The numbers, by Brad Alexander (music) and Kevin del Aguila (lyrics), are witty and well-turned, with some lovely wordplay. Choreographer Wendy Seyb puts the beasts gracefully through their paces. Beowulf Boritt's vivid storybook set features an ingenious bit of perspective gimcrackery that is typical of the show's equal appeal to kids and adults.
Click, clack, go.
Click here to buy group tickets.
