‘The Honeymooners’ at Paper Mill Playhouse; Photo by Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade; from left to right: Michael Mastro (Norton), Laura Bell Bundy (Trixie), Leslie Kritzer (Alice) and Michael McGrath (Ralph)
The Honeymooners opened on Sunday at the Paper Mill Playhouse. This is a world premier for the musical which is based on the television show of the same name. If you have ever watched the show, you will recognize the characters and some of the lines from that series in this new presentation. It even has a meeting of the Raccoon Lodge where the brothers wear their famous hats. Hearing Norton play “Swanee River” as his warm-up as Ralph develops jingle lyrics bring back fond memories of a favorite episode, “The 99,000 Answer.” And what would a show about the Kramdens be without hearing Ralph say to Alice, “baby, you’re the greatest!” All in all, The Honeymooners proves to be a very enjoyable show that is funny, but also heartwarming. Although it pays homage to its beginnings, an entire new story brings it into a new generation.
Photo by Jerry Dalia; Michael McGrath (Ralph) and the company of ‘The Honeymooners’
Directed by John Rando, The Honeymooners is based on a book by Dusty Kay and Bill Nuss. It begins with Ralph learning that after 15 years as a driver for the Gotham Bus Company, he will not get a promotion. Always looking for an opportunity to get a better life, he and Norton enter a contest to develop a jingle for their favorite cheese, Faciamatta. They invest $40 to rent a piano to develop lyrics. Alice criticizes Ralph for another hair brain scheme. To the surprise of all, they win the contest. Along with the prize money comes a job offer for both Ralph and Norton to join the advertising agency that sponsored the contest. They accept, leave their respective jobs, and go to Madison Avenue to work.
Meanwhile, back at home, Norton’s wife Trixie misses her old days working as a dancer in burlesque. She quickly accepts a chance to dance at a swanky club but worries because she allowed the owner (an old flame of hers) to kiss her at the audition. Next, she is hired by a ladder climbing executive at the ad agency. That executive, Bryce Bennett, believes he has found a way to break up Ralph’s and Norton’s work. Behind the scenes, Alice is working some of her famous magic to help get things straightened out.
The show culminates in a scene on the Cavalcade of Stars hosted by Jackie Gleason. A commercial for Faciamatta cheese runs live. It is a very funny scene as all is revealed about who has been doing what. Hint: there is a very happy but slightly surprising ending.
Music for the show is by Stephen Weiner and lyrics by Peter Mills. Choreography is by Joshua Bergasse with musical direction and vocal arrangements by Remy Kurs. The songs are fun to listen to as they help advance the story and understanding of the characters. Ralph and the other bus drivers start off the show with “Going Places.” The four friends dance and sing about their new lives as they close the first act with “Talk of the Town.” Trixie shines as she displays her dancing and singing in “Keepin’ It Warm.” Alice brings down the house when she sings “A Woman’s Work.”
The principal cast features Michael McGrath who gives a performance as Ralph Kramden that shows Ralph as a very lovable, well meaning guy. He grabs the audience’s hearts right from the start. Michael Mastro plays Ed Norton. Norton’s devotion to his friend and wife are very admirable and everyone cheers for him all the way through. Leslie Kritzer as Alice Kramden is that perfect combination of sweet and sarcastic. Laura Bell Bundy dazzles as Trixie Norton as she shows a side of the character not seen before. Also featured are Lewis Cleale as Bryce Bennett who is hystericaal as the ad man. Lewis J. Stadlen plays Old Man Faciamatta who makes sure his cheese is everywhere he goes. David Wohl does a great job as he plays the owner of the advertising agency, Allen Upshaw.
The Honeymooners marvelous ensemble includes Holly Ann Butler, Chris Dwan, Hannah Florence, Tessa Grady, Stacey Todd Holt, Ryan Kasprzak, Drew King, Eloise Kropp, Harris Milgrim, Justin Prescott, Lance Roberts, Jeffrey Schecter, Britton Smith, Alison Solomon, Michael Walters, and Kevin Worley.
Photo by Jerry Dalia; from left to right: Leslie Kritzer (Alice) and Michael McGrath (Ralph)
It is nice to watch a show where people are good-natured about their approach to life and the way they treat each other.
This show has a lot of heart. It is a bit sentimental and loaded with good feeling. It shows how uncomplicated marriage and friendship should be. It does so sweetly and in a very heartwarming way.
Additional Show Information:
Running Time: 2 hrs. 15 min. approx with one intermission
Location: Paper Mill Playhouse, 22 Brookside Drive, Millburn
Performances: Wednesday through Sunday. The performance schedule is Wednesday at 7:30 p.m., Thursday at 1:30 p.m. & 7:30 p.m., Friday at 8:00 p.m., Saturday at 1:30 p.m. & 8:00 p.m. and Sunday at 1:30 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.
Contact for Info and Tickets: Call 973.376.4343, at the Paper Mill Playhouse Box Office at 22 Brookside Drive in Millburn, or online at PaperMill.org. Groups of 10 or more can receive up to a 40% discount on tickets and should call 973.315.1680. Students may order $23 rush tickets over the phone or in person at the Paper Mill Playhouse box office on the day of the performance.
Suggested Audience: Appropriate for all ages
Additional Information for The Honeymooners:
- Accessibility Sessions – The Paper Mill Playhouse will offer audio-described performances for The Honeymooners on Sunday, October 22, 2017, at 1:30pm and Saturday, October 28, 2017, at 1:30pm. Prior to these performances at noon, the theater will offer free sensory seminars. Sensory seminars offer an opportunity for patrons with vision loss to hear a live, in-depth description of the production elements of the show. It provides hands-on interaction with key sets, props, and costumes. A sign-interpreted and open-captioned performance is scheduled for Sunday, October 29, 2017, at 7:00pm.
- Free Audience Enrichment Activities for The Honeymooners – The Conversation Club meets on Thursday evenings, September 28, October 5, 12 and 19, one hour before curtain for an informal, informative gathering. You’ll learn more about the performance you’re about to see. The Q&A with the Cast will be after the matinee on Saturday, October 28.