The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-11-28
p and DO1U71 BrOad7Uuy
BY JACK GAVER Limited Press Drama Editor

BY JACK GAVER United Press Drama EditOr)
 New York-(CP)- P)-Production on Broadway has stepped up, but the results arc badly mixed
 However, I can recommend Are You With It?"--a musical comedy produced by Kellmar and Gardiner, which is sprightly, has some fair, If not Side-splitting comedy, and is peopled by engaging performers.
 Lew Parker who has been look ing for that big chance for several years, finally gets it and knows what to do with it. He's smooth working comic, Joan Roberts, the original heroine of "Oklahomai", shows that she can do something besides sing and look pretty, by clowning and dancing around in the proper mood of the show. Johnny Downs, an old movie man, is excellent as the Harold Lloyd like hero, the bright young man Of an insurance company who mis- places decimal point and seeks to flee his shame by running away with carnival troupe
 Others engaged prominently are Jane Dulo, Dolores Grey, Duke Mc- Hale, Lou Wills, Jr., Jane Deering and June Richmond.
 The shows chief merit is its pace. It makes you forget that the plot isn't what 1t should have been. and that the music of Harry Revel Is scarcely more than adequate. Dancing, directed by Jack Dono- hue, is speciality of this show. and there's practically no ballet for those who practically like no ballet.
 s.TNHE RICH FULL LIFE" by
 | novelist, Vina Delmar, also is worth a visit, chiefly because 1t has the excellent Judith Evelyn play ling the role of middle-class housewife as you've never seen 1t played before. No matter what happens during the rest of the sea- son, she's my candidate for any acting honors that may be doled out.
 The story is great for the female trade. A mother is determined that her 17-year-old daughter, who has been sickly all her life and thus missed the social activities of her set, shall not miss the Senior Ball. to which she has been invited by l the high schools most popular male. The girl goes on a rainy night and catches pneumonia. The mother effects a cure by romantic means when medicine fails,
 The play has number of faults but Miss Evelyn does such wonders for it thta you're apt to overlook them while you're watching the play Virginia Weidler, erstwhile movie brat making her Broadway debut, does excellently with the role of the daughter. Others em- ployed by Producer Gilbert Miller include Jessie Busley Edith Mei- ser. Sandra Holman. Frederic To- zere, Jonathan Braman, Ann Shoe maker and Frank M Thomas,
 DOBERT E. SHERWOOD'S first Ie play in five years. The Rugged Path brings Spencer Tracy back to the stage. but has little else tt recommend it. Tracy, who has beer in the movies for Is years, is wortf seeing again. but his vehicle is g great handicap.
 The story concerns newspaper editor who believes the U. $. can'' remain out of the war. The pub fisher, his brother-in-la and tht business manager don't agree witt him. After he approves an editoria advocating lend-lease to Russia ] following the invasion by Ger many. he quits and enlists in tht Nav as a cook. His destroyer k sunk. hes cast up in the Philip pines. joins a guerrilla band and | killed Sherwood never brings thi! to life in his writing. For all tht passion he has put into the gra controversial question that domi mates the first act. 1t might as wei have been a discussion as to how many Jumps of sugar. The secont act manages to hold the interest { little better. but not sufficiently tt save the play from being just plai, , dull. Carson Kanin's direction dit not help any. The Playwrights Company, of which Sherwood is member. produced.
 
 ..THE GIRL FROM NANTUCK
 L ET"' cost a lot of money and one of the worst musical shows Iv
 seen in several seasons. Henr
 Adrian presented it and such peo
 pie as Jack Durant. Jane Rear William Lynn and Bob Kenned 8 are involved in this tale of hous N painter being hired by mistake K paint mural celebrating the sea S faring glor1es of Nantucket. Tn E music of Jacques Belasco and tn
 lyrics of Kay Twomey are undis F tinguished at best.
 MTHE season probably will prs
 duce no more earness play tha