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McDonald sizzles in 'Shade'

By Matt Windman | amNewYork Theater Critic

7:15 PM EDT, May 10, 2007

Audra McDonald stars in '110 in the Shade'

Why is it that Audra McDonald, who is possibly today's best musical theater actress, has not appeared in a Broadway musical in nearly eight years?

To her credit, McDonald regularly performs musical theater songs in her numerous concerts and has appeared in two dramas on Broadway since "Marie Christine" in 1999. Still, anyone who saw her Tony-winning performances in "Carousel" and "Ragtime" will understand the frustration that she does not perform in musicals more frequently.

But for what it's worth, she made a great choice in "110 in the Shade" for her long-awaited return to musical theater. Though Harvey Schmidt and Tom Jones' "The Fantasticks" is the longest-running musical in New York history, their much-overlooked adaptation of N. Richard Nash's "The Rainmaker" has not received a Broadway revival since its original 1963 production.

Spinster Lizzie Curry, the musical's protagonist, is a classic musical theater character of consuming emotions and determined dreams despite her depressing surroundings in a drought-ridden Midwestern town. Her sexual needs hit a new height when a conman named Starbuck rides into town. He parades himself as a "Rainmaker" and promises that he can make it rain in return for a $100 investment.

Unlike recent Roundabout musical revivals like "The Apple Tree" and "The Pajama Game," which featured great performances despite mediocre direction, the dramatic spirit and solid musical score of "110" truly come alive in Lonny Price's production, marking the best musical to play Studio 54 since "Assassins" and "Cabaret." Much credit should also go to music director Paul Gemignani and new orchestrator Jonathan Tunick.

Joining McDonald is a very strong cast including John Cullum as her father, Steve Kazee as Starbuck, Christopher Innvar as lonesome sheriff File and in a truly breakout performance, Bobby Steggert as her little brother Jimmy.

But truly nothing can compare to the excitement and brilliance of watching McDonald interpret songs like "Love, Don't Turn Away," "Old Maid" and "Simple Little Things."

Studio 54, 254 W 54th St, 212-719-1300, $36.25-$111.25. Tue 8pm, Wed 2 & 8pm, Thu-Fri 8pm, Sat 2 & 8pm, Sun 2pm. Through July 15.