42nd Street: The Musical (2019) User Reviews

A must see if you love musicals

[linda-plant2 · 9/10 · 12 November 2019]

I saw the David Merrick version twice in London, and have seen this latest version 3 times in London. So to see it again after the show closed, in the cinemas was an added bonus. I left out a star (making a perfect 10) because the camera concentrated on close ups rather than showing the dancing. So I now understand why Fred Astaire wanted full length body camera work when making his films.

It is the best theatre musical ever - if you are a lover of tap dancing,, and this show has it in spades. Personal preference, but Sheena Easton made a far better Dorothy Brock than Bonnie Langford. And Clare Halse - one sensational tap dancer, should have shared the applause at the end with BL and Tom Lister.

It was brilliant to relive all the amazing dancing, but lacked the atmosphere of the live theatre. Saying that, I thought there would be a dvd to buy at the end, but sadly not. Perhaps a trick has been missed on merchandising.

Delightful

[SDSurfDude · 8/10 · 16 November 2019]

This production is wonderful. The tap dancing is beyond fantastic. Each number in the first half is standing ovation worthy. The second half drags a bit, brought down by the book (script). But still wonderful to watch and the numbers are Broadway perfect.

YOUNG DREAMS

[kirbylee70-599-526179 · 7/10 · 23 November 2021]

Back in 1933 when sound on film was just beginning to be accepted a choreographer by the name of Busby Berkley left his mark of movie musical with his well-staged and well-photographed musical numbers. That year he choreographed several films but perhaps none more notable than 42nd STREET. With Ruby Keeler and Dick Powell along with Warner Baxter and Ginger Rogers the film was a hit and a classic example of the early movie musical.

It was no wonder that the film about Broadway would later become a Broadway musical itself. The stage musical came out in 1980 and had a lengthy run on Broadway. In 2017 the play had a revival that did equally well. That production made its way to a taped version of the show which is now available on disc from MVD.

The story revolves around a Broadway production being staged by famed director Julian Marsh (Tom Lister). Marsh has been forced to include aging actress Dorothy Brock (Bonnie Langford) in the lead role to get financing for the production from her wealthy beau Abner Dillon (Bruce Montague). Enter Peggy Sawyer (Clare Halse), fresh off the bus from Allentown, PA and hoping to audition except she arrived too late. Feeling for her a few of the chorus girls take her to lunch. They encourage Peggy to show them a dance routine and Marsh catching her doing do decides that he needs her to be in the chorus.

Then things get a little complicated. Abner is not happy that his girlfriend is going to be kissing another actor in the play and pulls his money unless the show is changed, which it is. During a rehearsal Peggy faints and is taken to Dorothy's dressing room by Pat Denning (Matthew Goodgame), the man Dorothy is secretly having an affair with. When she finds them in the dressing room together she throws a fit. Overhearing this and fearful that he will lose his backer, Marsh has a couple of thugs suggest to Pat that he move elsewhere.

More romantic ups and downs, A broken ankle, the show nearly closing before it opens and a young upstart named Peggy who saves the day all make for a story that supposedly shows what goes on behind the scenes of a Broadway musical. At least in the land of make believe.

The production is well made and shot so that you feel not just like you're in the audience but have front row seats. The acting is done in a stage manner rather than film meaning they are playing to the back seats but it works.

More than anything the production was known for its use of popular songs at the time as well as songs made for the film that became popular on their own. "42nd Street", "You're Getting to be a Habit with Me", "I Only Have Eyes for You" and "We're in the Money" all came from the production. Odds are since reading that you're already humming one of more of those tunes.

Most people will never have the opportunity to go to see an actual Broadway production. Discs like these provide that opportunity to everyone. So make sure you take a chance and enjoy this one. It's worth watching.

PERFECTION!!!

[donmacmills · 10/10 · 8 May 2019]

Freely adapted from the original - which was brilliant - but this new version is a cornucopia of talent and performance! A perfect 10 on all counts. PS filmed stage plays can raise live performances to a whole new level with cuts and closeups. This proves that.

All Singing, All Dancing, Little Acting

[drednm · 7 December 2020]

OK, once you get past all the British actors doing American 1930s accents and settle into the familiar story, this is a solid and enjoyable production. You also have to get past this Dorothy Brock's being at least a decade too old for the part.

Bonnie Langford sings OK as Dorothy but seems likes she's doing an impression of Andrea Martin. Her Brock is too old and too nasty, which makes her gracious exit a bit hard to believe. Faring better is Tom Lister as the frantic Julian. He's the only cast member who actually acts well and his singing voice is fine.

Peggy Sawyer is portrayed by a semi-frumpy Clare Halse (it may be just the hideous wig) who never quite captures that "star quality" the show is all about. She dances better than she sings. But she seems too short.

But Philip Bertioli is a joyous Billy who brings a much needed pizazz to his character, and his dancing is excellent. Also noteworthy is Jasna Ivir as Maggie the producer. She brings a big Tessie O'Shea energy to the show.

The music of Harry Warren and Al Dubin is timeless. And it's a joy to hear and the dancing numbers are very well done. Some of the cuts to close-ups are jarring.

The 1933 film starred Bebe Daniels, Warner Baxter, Ruby Keeler, and Dick Powell. The original 1980 Broadway production starred Tammy Grimes, Jerry Orbach, Wanda Richert, Lee Roy Reams, and Carole Cook.

Clare Halse is a force of nature

[screenwriter-972-149612 · 10/10 · 2 July 2020]

This is a stage production that looks like a movie. Well shot with shifting perspectives while capturing the movements. And what movements they are! The chorus and smaller roles are all handled by flawless and fun dancers and singers. The staging and chorography are as good as musical theater can produce.. And there's Clare Halse. The best tap dancer you've ever seen and one of the most winning faces you'll ever encounter. Watch this just to see her. Even when it's over, keep watching. She has a surprise for you even after the curtain call. Plenty of great songs, great dancing and a finale in a class by itself. Well worth your time. If I have one quibble with this production it would be the 'Shuffle Off To Buffalo' number that's jarringly silly and out of place. The other 95%? Perfection.

This is getting to be a habit with me!

[mark.waltz · 10/10 · 22 June 2021]

The 2001 revival of the hit 1980 musical based upon the 1933 Broadway musical film was much more elaborate than the original, with advertising in the theater district that took up an entire city block of a construction site with the presence of the chorus girls. Audiences initially were intrigued by the first "Follies" revival, but when that proved to be a disappointment, attention switched to this, with the original having closed just over ten years before. The producers of this one added more songs, gave more glitter to the costumes and tripled the energy level. The big winners that year at the Tony's were this and "The Producers", and in the wake of 9/11, the two shows filled the exact spirit that Broadway needed to get going again.

The cast of this TBS production isn't known to most Broadway audiences, but it is based on a British Revival that took audiences by storm just a few years ago and is delightfully lavish and extravagant and filled with charm. Added for this as a production from 2001 and kept over here are "I Only Have Eyes for You" , "With Plenty of Money and You" and Keep Young and Beautiful", which is actually from "Roman Scandals" , the only source that was not from a Warner Brothers movie. Everything else from the original production is there, and the addition of the other songs doesn't lengthen it in any unnecessary way. Having seen the original production on tour and the revival shortly after 9/11, I'd certainly love to visit the show live again with the 20-year hiatus, but having a copy of this production on video will do just fine until Broadway brings it back.

Lead less spectacular

[gkeith_1 · 9/10 · 3 November 2019]

Little girl who played lead didn't seem to be any better dancer than the others in the chorus. She was great, but didn't have the pizzazz I was expecting. Still, it was a valiant effort but not as totally believeable as I was hoping.

Julian didn't have the desperate illness as shown in the film. I realize that stage and film can have different types of storylines.

Didn't remember Billy in the film being much of a dancer: Dick Powell.

I am assuming that the 1930s film was the only one on cinema previously.

Outstanding performances, mediocre story and songs

[gxnppdw · 6/10 · 5 January 2022]

If I were just rating this based on the performances, I would give it 10 stars. The tap dancing is especially phenomenal. However, the show was boring, predictable, and basic. Nothing makes these characters stand out and I could predict every plot point before it happened. The songs had particularly boring lyrics and though the melodies were enjoyable, none were catchy or memorable. If you're just here to see a lot of good tap dancing, you'll probably enjoy it.

Soooo good!

[samanthapalmese · 9/10 · 5 December 2020]

This is a super great version fo the show. The acting is completely there and there isn't a dull moment. Additionally, the choreography is incredible!!! I'd highly recommend!!

Wonderful musical, weird age gap

[minerstella · 7/10 · 20 July 2022]

The dancing, the most important part of this show, was INCREDIBLE, the singing was also good, especially from the old star. Unfortunately the weird age gap and power imbalance between Peggy and her boss made me so uncomfortable and angry that it took me out of the story for a few moments.

Excellent

[francisdagami · 10/10 · 14 September 2021]

Kudos to the Chorus and the actors and the actresses ,, You were great.

Bombastic and Thin

[deansscreen · 3/10 · 22 July 2019]

This movie proves that old Broadway musicals benefited from the changes brought about by Rodgers and Hammerstein and their predecessors. Those composers added genuine stories to their musical numbers and produced heartfelt dramas with a mix of outstanding humor. But this film lacks all such charm. It seems to be about a producer's attempt to rescue a musical review from a series of disasters; I'm still not sure whether that was the subject or not. At any rate, the storyline is a thin excuse for a pastiche of dance routines accompanied by an array of songs that bear no resemblance to the alleged story or plot. Even the singers fail to impress. Add the bombastic soundtrack with what seems like 5000 horns and no strings and you've got yourself a long, long two-and-one-half hours of insipid entertainment.

MAGNIFICENT

[francisdagami · 10/10 · 14 September 2021]

This musical is the Mother of Broadway shows. Every performance is great, the musical score is beautiful. This musical will give you a glimpse of old Broadway.

Overrated Mediocre production.

[pelops1 · 5/10 · 28 August 2021]

Having been drawn by the high rating, I was sadly disappointed. It's a pleasant enough performance but could have been so much better. The dance numbers are fantastic, however the acting ability of the cast is lacking.

If you want to see what a GREAT Stage Musical should be like, then look no further than the 1999 London Stage performance of Oklahoma!, starring Hugh Jackman and Maureen Lipman.

Sadly, this version of 42nd Street isn't in the same ballpark. The Original 1933 B&W movie still reigns supreme.