Mystery! Adventure on dark streets! Beautiful bad women in slinky costumes! Suave good-looking men! Adrift in Macao, the new film noir musical with book and lyrics by Christopher Durang and music by Peter Melnick now at 59E59, gives us Durang at the top of his satirical creativity, with sparkling, imaginative innovation from director Sheryl Kaller and choreographer Christopher Gattelli. The music is as profoundly enjoyable as the lyrics, and it's a kick from start to finish. This show is so strong as an entertainment that it belongs on Broadway along with The Drowsy Chaperone and Spamalot. The super cast: Alan Campbell, Michele Ragusa, Rachel De Benedet, Will Swensen and Orville Mendoza (who just about steals the show as a scrutable Oriental), designers Thomas Lynch (sets), Willa Kim (costumes) and Jeff Croiter (lighting), all help lift this delightful, hilarious musical to as high a level as it gets in this town. Long may it wave!
