By Kyle Osborne
It’s lighter than air, and feels like a sit-com ( a good one) in its structure of scenes between songs, but “Spin: A New Musical,” in development at Signature Theatre, will lift you ten feet off the ground with its catchy songs and exuberant performances.
The musical is about a washed-up boy band singer from the 90’s, who finds himself hosting a show that’s part Today Show and part American Idol. James Gardiner, one of Signature’s most reliable regulars, plays the rudderless Evan Cole, still clinging to the affirmation of groupies, and a long way from maturity—ironic, given that he’s seen as “over-the-hill” while still in his thirties.
Enter Makalo (Carolyn Cole) as both a potential contestant on the show, and, SURPRISE!, a daughter he never knew he had. And she has a son, too. The Seacrest wannabe is in a hurricane of emotions—his career could be in trouble, he’s just gotten two new roommates and he’s a grandfather, all at once. This sudden relationship is deeper than either has ever experienced before, and there’s no guarantee that things will fly.
“Spin: A New Musical,” is part of Signature Theatre’s “siglab,” a chance for developing shows to rehearse with a professional cast and venue for four weeks, in front of an audience—the idea being to see what works and what doesn’t.
Within those parameters, playwright and composer Brian Hill and Neil Bartram should be elated. Although there’s not quite enough story to sustain the run time, the songs are, indeed, ready for prime time. Funny and touching, where the plot requires, the songs are instantly hum-able and are in great hands with Gardiner and Cole. Gardiner’s performance in “Family Tree” is like a throwback to an earlier time, when a song and dance man laid it all out with grace and charm, and a warm smile that makes audiences smile, too. And “Click,” might be considered corny, but again, it feels like something a critic of a certain age might have seen as a child–and LOVED.
The set looks to be about 80% production remnants of “Company,” which recently closed, but it’s perfectly suited to the material. All we need is a TV studio and an apartment. Done.
A shout out to Bobby Smith, who plays a creepy gossip columnist worthy of boos and hisses. But Smith’s tap dance routine in “Everybody Loves a Scandal,” elicited only wild cheers. Who knew this guy was a Bona fide hoofer? And Erin Driscoll strikes just the right tone as a school teacher with a heart of gold.
Finally, I have to ask: why isn’t Carolyn Cole a national recording star? Is it because she’s too good an actress? She easily out sings any American Idol contestants from recent memory (Using that example because the TV show within the play is called “Idol Chatter”). If this musical goes to Broadway, she had better be in it. And Gardiner, too. Their voices blend like buttah. “I Am Yours” gives you goose bumps.
Tickets are as affordable as you’re going to find in DC area theatre and the show closes on July 27th. Grab your tickets while you can at: http://www.signature-theatre.org/shows/spin
And check out this rehearsal video with Gardiner and Cole: