To judge by audience reaction, you'd never know Urban Cowboy: The Musical, was a critic-drubbed flop that nearly closed two nights after opening. Does the crowd mind that the central conflict of the musical version of the popular John Travolta-Debra Winger flick was weak to the point of operetta? Or that the lead's momentous decision to ride the fabled mechanical bull is about as ridiculous as the lovable aunt and uncle (Sally Mayes - always a pro - and a tepid Leo Burmester) are obligatory? Nope, it doesn't matter to the audience, and most of the time, it didn't matter much to me, either.
The newcomer leads (Matt Cavenaugh and Jenn Colella) have strong presence and can sing; the country songs, though penned by different artists, fit the story a lot better than you'd expect (and a darn sight better, come to think of it, than ABBA songs fit Mamma Mia!); and, best of all, the ever-present chorus is composed of sexy, skimpily dressed dancers - half of whom, merciful heaven, are female. And let's not forget the kicky choreography by Melinda Roy, including a closing-time-at-Gilley's sequence that is both comic and rightfully pathetic.
I saw a workshop of Cowboy two years ago and left at intermission, convinced the producers had stepped in cow pie. A lot of good work has been done since, and while the show is still more rhinestone than gem, it's now more likely to make boots tap-tap than go squish-squish.
