Beaches – Not Quite Enough Wind Beneath Its Wings

By Alix Cohen

The good news is that Beaches remains tender hearted. As book and lyrics are written by the novel’s author, Iris Rainer Dart, the musical retains much of its appeal even with a slightly changed story -I missed Cee Cee’s avant-garde musical number “Oh Industry,” which would have been wonderful to see staged.

For those too young or old to remember, Beaches chronicles lifelong friendship between ambitious, outspoken Cee Cee Bloom and reserved, wealthy Hillary Whitney. They meet as children on an Atlantic City beach and stay connected through careers, romance, jealousy, and personal struggles. As adults, the bond is tested by distance and differing lifestyles, but ultimately deepens when Hillary falls gravely ill.

The musical entertains, it’s well cast, and has some splendid parentheses. The bad/disappointing news is, overall it never takes flight. Nowhere did I hear the sniffling that filled movie theaters. Lack of 1988’s screenwriter Mary Agnes Donoghue may rob the piece of finesse. Everything is more obvious- less, draw your own conclusions from action, more spelled out. Lyrics follow suit. Music (Mike Stoller) is pedestrian. Ancillary characters are neither well thought out nor well played.

Much to my surprise, use of three actresses playing each heroine works well. As acted by Samantha Schwartz, Little Cee Cee Bloom comes to buoyant life from her first appearance through the curtain call. Comfortable with vernacular and moving to beat the band, this young actress is a delight to watch. Little Bertie (Zeya Grace) has graceful stage presence, but most lyrics are lost in chirpy vocals. Harper Burns later plays Bertie’s daughter Nina with great poise. Emma Ogea and Bailey Ryon (the teenagers) are fine.

Barely apparent in the film, the conservative heroine’s innocence here is literally beyond belief. In order to balance, enlightenment is humorously drawn. Kelli Barrett’s effort to present an insecure/malleable Bertie diminishes the character a bit too far. Though
Cee Cee is dominant, Bertie shouldn’t fade out. Vocals are splendid.

Cee Cee Bloom is a role into which Jessica Vosk can and does sink her teeth. Powerhouse vocals arrive alongside organic vulgarity, confidence, and temper. Ineptness volunteering as her friend’s caregiver, though again stretching credibility, emerges well-intentioned. A scene in which Cee Cee offers herself to John is moving.

As Cee Cee’s love interest, John Perry, Brent Thiessen delivers what he can of solid characterization without defining dialogue help. The actor has a marvelous voice and low key charisma. (Chewing gum detracts.) Ben Jacoby plays Bertie’s love interest, Michael, with pompous assurance. Sarah Bockel could do more with Leona Bloom. Lael Van Keuren makes a first rate, brittle Mrs. White.

Direction – Lonny Price & Matt Cowart – is better in non-performance-within-performance scenes. Two-handers are especially effective. That little Cee Cee and Bertie appear in the background as memories works, but happens too often.

As if designed by two different people, James Noone’s scenic work is comprised of evocative paintings which enhance mood and pillars of squares and rectangles affixed with graphics that jerk one away from emotional narrative.

Costumes by Tracy Christensen are also a mixed bag. Though street clothes read well, Cee Cee’s onstage apparel is unflattering to the point of being tacky.

Photos by Marc J. Franklin
Opening Jessica Vosk (Cee Cee Bloom) & Kelli Barrett (Bertie White)

Beaches
Book by Iris Rainer Dart & Thom Thomas
Music Mike Stoller
Lyrics- Iris Rainer Dart
Based on the novel by Iris Rainer Dart
Developed in Collaboration with David Austin
Directed by Lonny Price & Matt Cowart
Majestic Theatre 245 West 44th Street