It goes without saying (though I will say it) that gays in the military makes a timely topic for a musical. Yank! portrays two World War II era gay soldiers: the boyish Stu (Bobby Steggert), uncomfortable amid military machismo; and Mitch (Ivan Hernandez), the all-American who's more sensitive than your average soldier. Stu will learn to adapt and find a not-so-secret gay enclave in the army, while Mitch remains closeted.
In the end, Yank turns out to be surprisingly moving. Surprising since, for its first two-thirds, it's not particularly compelling and even feels a tad silly. Uniforms and talk of battle aside, there is little sense that war menaces offstage, a stark contrast to Hair or South Pacific, where the fun is interrupted with necessary reminders that a happy ending is not foretold.
Still, there is something here for everyone - two tap dances, a ballet seemingly on loan from West Side Story and lots of kissing. The 1940's-style pop music score is fitting but unappealing. I found myself twisting uncomfortably whenever a song began. Yank! peaks when not singing.
Its best asset is its star. Fresh from Ragtime, Steggert gives the show's only Broadway-caliber performance, convincingly transforming from awkward teenager to mature, confident soldier. He wipes tears from his eyes as he shifts characters toward the final curtain. Ivan Hernandez is attractive and muscular, but less likable than called for. Still, the two complement each other beautifully and have a great chemistry lying in each other's arms.
Nancy Anderson does her best with less than spectacular material, Andrew Durand makes a good redneck and David Perlman employs a painfully annoying Italian accent.
At one point, Stu amusingly remarks that gay soldiers might see better days by "1948 or 1950." Will 2010 be the year he was waiting for?
