Kathie Lee Gifford’s show Scandalous: The Life and Trials of Aimee Semple McPherson(she wrote the book, lyrics and some of the music — David Pomeranz and David Friedman wrote most of the catchy, memorable music) about the life and career of the famous/infamous super evangelist Aimee Semple McPherson, who brought theatricality to preaching, is a well-written, terrific musical that grabbed me from the beginning and didn’t let go. After a gospel opening, Carolee Carmello, playing Amy, opens up her pipes, and she has me. Her performance grows and blossoms.
As Amy’s life is played out on the farm, in the city, through Deco, etc., as time passes, the fearless designer Walt Spangler presents a fresh imaginative look at each period and setting with stylized powerful suggestions of the literal through abstract designs.
Natasha Katz’s lighting sizzles and enhances. Period costumes by Gregory A. Poplyk are spectacular.
Edward Watts, good looking, with a powerful voice, shines as her first husband, the dark-haired Semple, then as her magnificently-built blonde stud. George Hearn gives a couple of strong characters as her father and as her preaching adversary, and Candy Buckley shines in the emotionally complex role of her mother. Roz Ryan an Andrew Samonsky are exellent as friend and second husband, McPherson. The cast is highly energetic, full of exuberant talent, and the snappy dances by Lorin Latarro are liberally sprinkled with humor – here’s even an Irish jig early on. It’s a party!
As directed by David Armstrong, Scandalous has no low spots — I was totally engaged by this big Broadway musical that gives us vivid insights into a bigger-than-life American icon.
