Sweet Smell of Success (2002 Original Broadway Cast)
Based on the Ernest Lehman novella and the 1957filmof the same name, this show aims to be a savvy, sharp satire of the gossip industry. Yet more often than not, it's oddly mushy, and a couple of the songs are almostFrank Wilderhornianin their witless, elephantine scope. John Lithgow, who plays ruthless gossip columnist J.J. Hunsecker, is not much of a singer, but Broadway has a history of nontraditional vocalists pulling through thanks to chutzpah, charisma, and interpretive chops--Elaine Stritchcomes to mind. Lithgow isn't quite in that league, but he does a fine job nevertheless. And while Craig Carnelia's lyrics don't make much of an impression, Marvin Hamlisch (A Chorus Line) comes to the rescue with a score that's fairly swinging, even if it lacks the dark punch of Elmer Bernstein's score for the movie. A couple of variations on sultry ballads, "Don't Know Where You Leave Off" and "Rita's Tune," are notable.--Elisabeth Vincentelli