"The Apple Tree"

Tonight I saw Roundabout's third show of the season (and first musical!), The Apple Tree, starring Kristin Chenoweth. I wasn't too familiar with the show before seeing it, but I had anticipated another chance to see Kristin on stage after having loved her performance as Glinda in Wicked. She most definitely sells the show to maximum effect.

It's a musical made up of three different movements (one-act musicals, essentially), each a different story about the roles of men and women.

The first part, "The Diary of Adam and Eve," is based on a story by Mark Twain. It chronicles the early struggles of Adam and Eve in a humorous way (naming animals, building shelter, discovering fire, etc.).

The second part, "The Lady or the Tiger?" is based on a story by Frank R. Stockton that tells of a woman's dilemma as she chooses whether to send her lover into the arms of another woman or the jaws of a tiger.

The third part, "Passionella," is based on a story by Jules Feiffer, and it tells the story of a nerdy chimney sweep who, during certain hours of the day, is transformed into a glamorous movie star.

Altogether, the throughline was cute but underwhelming, with a few running gags being the unifying thread between the various stories. It's mostly just a frothy excuse for a star vehicle for whatever excellent female performer is currently available for a Broadway engagement, and it's a decent one at that, written by the composing team of Bock and Harnick reponsible for Fiddler on the Roof, She Loves Me, and others.

The Broadway and film ingenue currently available for a Broadway production of The Apple Tree is Kristin Chenoweth, a versatile performer who was able to move between these different roles with ease. Known for winning the Tony for her role as Sally in You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown and her star turn as Glinda in Wicked, she's a spectacular performer and sure to create box office boffo, even if starring in The Phone Book the Musical. The men of the show, Brian D'Arcy James and Marc Kudisch (Chenoweth's ex-fiance) complemented her well.

Overall, the score is forgettable, though it's pretty enough so as to be listenable and has a few standouts though no showstoppers. The design of the show, which was relatively sparse, was effective.

For me, the standout piece was "Passionella," as Chenoweth really felt comfortable with the transition between geek and movie star. It was thrilling to watch her transformation -- less because of the thinly veiled physically transformative moment and more for the gifted acting skills that were employed. She is a woman of impeccable comic timing, with the ability to arouse a belly laugh from the littlest movement of her tiny body.

Kristin Chenoweth as Ella and Passionella in the "Passionella" segment of The Apple Tree

Overall, The Apple Tree makes for a fun evening at the theatre. I question why, of all musicals, this was the one considered most valuable for Roundabout to revive, but it's definitely a cute enough vehicle for Kristin Chenoweth, who is the main reason to see the show.

I'll be seeing it again on opening night (next Thursday), so if anything new occurs to me, I'll post it then. I predict the reviews will be favorable at least for Kristin.

On a completely different note, Emma and I visited the Charmin Restrooms (the holiday event of the year) before the show:

It's alarmin' how Charmin I feel.