Susan Granger’s review of “110 in the Shade” at Roundabout Theater’s Studio 54 (’06-’07 season)
In 1930s in drought-parched Texas – in the middle of a heat wave – just when bright, outspoken Lizzie Curry (Audra McDonald) is resigned to being lonely, love-starved “old maid,” a charismatic con-man who calls himself Starbuck (Steve Kazee) breezes in, giving her – and the townspeople – what they lack even more than rain: hope.
Based on N. Richard Nash’s “The Rainmaker” – which traces its roots back to the Cinderella fable – it’s been adapted for the stage by Nash and has music by Harvey Schmidt with lyrics by Tom Jones, the duo who created the long-running “The Fantastics.” But even when it first opened back in 1963, the score of “110 in the Shade” was a bit disappointing – and it hasn’t improved with age.
Of course, back in 1963, it seemed somewhat romantic when the leading man confesses that he ditched the ordinary name of Smith, explaining, “I needed a name that had the whole sky in it. And the power of a man! Star- buck! Now that’s a name for you – and it’s mine!” Now that line just gets a laugh.
What distinguishes this low-key, strangely uneven revival – directed by Lonny Price, choreographed by Dan Knecht and designed by Santo Loquasto – is four-time Tony winner Audra McDonald, who is a joy to behold, even though it’s difficult to believe that she’s just a plain country gal who’s never been noticed by File (Christopher Innvar), the taciturn local sheriff, even though he’s persistently prodded by her pseudo-rustic father (John Cullum) and two bumbling brothers (Chris Butler, Bobby Steggart). As for Steve Kazee as the supposedly charismatic Starbuck, the less said the better.
“110 in the Shade” is not too hot, particularly when compared with the “The Rainmaker” movie, starring Katharine Hepburn and Burt Lancaster.