Review: “Working Girl” Musical Falls Short of Expectations
The new musical “Working Girl,” based on the 1988 film of the same name, has premiered at La Jolla Playhouse, but unfortunately, it fails to live up to the standards set by the original movie. The production, directed by Christopher Ashley, relies too heavily on broad comic shtick and derivative ’80s pop songs, cheapening the source material in the process.
The film, directed by Mike Nichols, was a cinematic fairy tale about a Staten Island secretary named Tess who fights for her place in the corporate finance world. The movie’s success can be attributed to the magnificent performances from its leads, Melanie Griffith, Harrison Ford, and Sigourney Weaver. In contrast, the musical, with music and lyrics by Cyndi Lauper and book by Theresa Rebeck, prioritizes commercialism over art, resulting in a lack of subtlety and nuance.
A Comparison of the Film and Musical
Upon re-watching the film after 37 years, it’s clear that the movie has retained its freshness, thanks to Nichols’ genius in crafting individualized textures and quirky singularity in his characters. The musical, on the other hand, treats its characters like walking gags, with the writing and direction lacking the human contradictions and conflicts that made the film so compelling. The score, while catchy, is unmemorable and relies too heavily on familiar-sounding songs, with Lauper’s lyrics often feeling like they were written for herself rather than the characters.
The cast, including Joanna “JoJo” Levesque as Tess and Lesley Rodriguez Kritzer as Katharine, delivers standout performances, but they are often hindered by the material. Levesque, in particular, shines as Tess, bringing a sense of lonely striving to the character, but the musical’s busy plot and clownish strokes undermine her efforts. The supporting cast, including Anoop Desai as Jack and Ashley Blanchet as Cyn, are also notable, but their characters feel underdeveloped and lacking in intimacy.
Technical Aspects and Production
The choreography by Sarah O’Gleby adds to the sense of frenzy, with the scenography by the collective AMP featuring Erica Jiaying Zhang providing a backdrop of New York City. However, the overall production feels like an American musical that has lost its way, trying to appeal to the lowest common denominator rather than striving for something more meaningful.
The musical’s attempts to tweak the plot, such as changing the circumstances of Mick’s infidelity, don’t quite work, and the compressed and hasty book by Rebeck fails to reimagine the show’s basic structure. The result is a musical that feels like a shallow adaptation rather than a thoughtful reimagining of the original film.
Ultimately, the only reason to see “Working Girl” may be Joanna “JoJo” Levesque’s performance as Tess, which brings a spark of life to an otherwise lackluster production. For a more in-depth review, visit Here
Leslie Rodriguez Kritzer, center, with the cast of the musical “Working Girl.”
(Rich Soublet II)
