NO, NO, NANETTE

The flapper musical No, No, Nanette is a tap-dance frivolity that turned out to be a great counterbalance for the powerful psychodrama of Ariadne Unhinged that I saw Wednesday night. Everything is pretty much surface-level, with its intimations of naughtiness (somewhat evocative of the Eliot Spitzer scandal) merely used to spark audience interest before being cast aside in a celebration of innocence and wholesomeness.

This Encores revival—based on the 1971 smash revival of the original 1925 hit—stars an enviably fit and sunshiny Sandy Duncan along with the light-footed Michael Berresse, Beth Leavel (fitting, considering her titular role in The Drowsy Chaperone, a parody of a Nanette-era show), the Nanette of Mara Davi (another Drowsy veteran previously noted here for her supporting role in Of Thee I Sing) and the celebrated blogger Rosie O'Donnell as the wise-cracking maid.

But it's the dance work—choreographed by Randy Skinner—that remains the big star of the show. It's not very flashy, but it's full of very solid ensemble tap work and charming solo and partner routines. I understand that the spectacle of a small platoon of synchronized tap dancers used to be fairly common in show biz, but nowadays it's once again novel and refreshing, a key component of yet another Encores success.

Ticket discounts may well be available at the usual places, including Playbill.com. The rear gallery seats are far away but probably just fine for many attendees.

Here's one of the enduring Vincent Youmans tunes from No, No, Nanette. Beware: It might lodge inside your noggin!



Source (1:13)