With the end-of-the-year closing of this Tony-winning revival just announced, a look in on the Cole Porter classic showed the tuner to be in generally fine shape. As Lili, Carolee Carmello, heretofore not known for goofy turns, has hilarious facial expressions to go with her lovely, trilling vibrato.
When it comes to comic brio, Burke Moses is no Brian Stokes Mitchell, but his professionalism and baritone crooning carry the day. Janine LaManna, as Lois/Bianca, scores a triple on "Tom, Dick or Harry" but merely a double on an underwhelming "True To You In My Fashion." New casting in secondary roles has been salubrious, especially Walter Charles as that spoofy martinet, General Howell.
The gangsters are still delicious, the songs still wunderbar, the dancing still much fun (though "Too Darn Hot" remains too darn long) and the show still worth kissing ardently.
