It’s A Bird! It’s A Plane! It’s...Fun!

By Ken Payne

The redux of 1940’s Superman comics has once again made its way to live theatre, giving audience members a chance to follow the man of steel in an all-out song and dance adventure. Drury Lane’s presentation of “It’s a Bird! It’s a plane! It’s Superman!” contends with any summer musical thanks to a charming cast and a strategically retro stage set.

The somewhat campy script was written by Robert Benton and David Newman (“Bonnie and Clyde”, “Superman”) while heavy-hitters Charles Strouse and Lee Adams composed the music. When “It’s a Bird...” premiered on Broadway at the Alvin Theatre in 1966, critics gave the show positive reviews, anointing songs like “So Long Big Guy”, “It’s Super Nice” and “We Need Him” as theatre hits. However, for whatever the reason, the general public’s attendance didn’t support the critic’s heralds, forcing the show to close just four months later after just 129 performances. Since, the show has been resurrected by many production companies and has been packing houses on a regular basis, perhaps because of the show’s nostalgic allure.

It’s a Bird! It’s a Plane! It’s Superman! is a funny story that coyly pokes fun at Superman’s “swell-ness” mostly when he is disguised as Daily Planet reporter Clark Kent. James Rank does a fantastic job in the role of Superman, delivering both the tongue-in-cheek representation of our hero and the clumsy mannerisms of Clark Kent. Of course it wouldn’t be a Superman adventure without a love plot between reporter Lois Lane (McKinley Carter) and our highly esteemed caped wonder, and we also know that where there is a super-hero there is an arch-villain – this time the jealous, ten-time Nobel Peace Prize loser, Professor Sedgewick, played by David Perkovich. Professor Sedgewick, determined to destroy the eternally praised Superman, teams up with an idiosyncratic group of Russian acrobats with the same agenda in mind. To further his diabolical plan, the Professor also gets the unlikely help of Clark Kent’s conniving, scoop-hungry office mate Max Mencken, who has also been trying to nail Superman’s secret identity.

Max Mencken (Jack Cassidy originally starred) is brilliantly played by Bernie Yvon. Yvon’s high-energy adaptation of Max Mencken provides punch-line after punch-line with a flamboyant charm but also with a Max-like squirminess that cannot be concealed, not that he would try. Sydney, the Daily Planet’s secretary and office flirt, is portrayed by Holly Stauder, who does a fine job with the role bringing a sarcastic humor to the office as she puts Max in his place and chases after Clark Kent.

At one point, it just so happens that Superman is “using” Clark’s apartment to “be alone for a while”. Lois, expecting to see Clark, is surprised when Superman greets her instead. Her visit turns into a confession of her feelings towards the man of steel in which she claims that, despite their many encounters and his saving her life on several occasions, Superman never said he needs her – not once. Viewers get a glimpse of Superman’s vulnerability when he confesses his love for Lois after she had already left the room.

“It’s a Bird! It’s a Plane! It’s Superman!” is engaging to both the eyes and ears with it’s well choreographed dance routines, catchy songs, stage lighting, and terrific costume design. The show also features wonderful aerial effects as Superman soars through the air and pummels evildoers. “It’s a Bird...” is a romantic comedy that will lift your spirits and can be enjoyed by people of all ages.

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Lifeline Theatre’s Crossing California Hits Home

By Ken Payne

Remember what Chicago’s West Rogers Park was like in 1979? Ok, maybe you do and maybe you don’t. But for those that don’t Crossing California delivers a powerful, but comedic, look into the past in this coming of age story based on the novel by Adam Langer. For those that do remember, Crossing is a wonderful reminiscence of what is was like to be a teen in yet another controversial era.

Taking place in a predominately middle-class Jewish neighborhood, the story intertwines the lives of three families into a smart, and touching, tale of growing pains and discovery. In 1979, Ronald Reagan was about to take his place in the White House and the daily news covered the developing hostage situation in Iran. At the same time, Crossing California takes an insightful look into family dysfunction, teen lust, and social yearning.

Darren Myers is heartwarming in his Lifeline Theatre debut as Muley Wills who is in love with his best friend Jill Wasserstrom (Kate Nawrocki), an idealistic eighth grader who looks to defend the Ayatollah Khomeini in a school debate and then sabotage her own Bat Mitzvah. Muley, an aspiring filmmaker, doesn’t understand her ideology but longs for her just the same. Despite her aspirations to just remain friends, Muley courts her with a series of short films that exclaim his love for her. In the meantime, his book hungry mother Deirdre Wills (Jaclyn Williams) is housekeeping, but Muley has a plan to brighten her future. Muley’s neighborhood hero Straight Arrow Farrow (Bryson Engelen), a radio station employee and desiring screenplay writer provides him with inspiration and advice.

Jill’s older sister Michelle, wonderfully played by Katie McLean, is a talented drama student with a much rougher edge and curiosity for the wild side. Though their widowed, mild-mannered father Charlie Wasserstrom (Hanlon Smith-Dorsey) has his hands full raising the two girls, things get more complicated when he starts dating – especially when Michelle does what ever she can to make the situation as uncomfortable as possible.

Down the street lives Larry Rovner (Dylan Lower) who’s busy with his band “Rovner”. Larry wants to be a rock star and specializes in writing Jewish-oriented songs to impress neighborhood girls. He later uses his cheesy skills to get Michelle into bed but she just wants to smoke a joint. Dylan Lower was genuine and did an excellent job encompassing the traits of the teenage character with the gullibility and arrogance that most of us remember. Larry’s slow-witted sister Lana (Amanda Gregg) also shared residence and provided many laughs in a “dumb blonde” fashion.

Allison Cain is fantastic in multiple roles as a radio station director, Charlie’s new love interest and Great Aunt Beileh. At the same time, Stephen Loch shows his versatility by playing Michelle’s ever-loyal gay friend, a drama teacher with an eye for his young female students, Muley’s estranged Russian father, and a wild-eyed, rambunctious radio show host.

California Crossing is unique because it realistically captures the essence of teenagers, or at least the ones I remember. Pot smoking, political diatribes, family tribulations, sex, music, love, jealousy, high school pressures, and dreams...am I leaving anything out?

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