SHANGRI LA

From 1800s England to 1960s Queens

For the first time in its 17-year history, Queens Theatre in the Park is staging two world premieres concurrently - both musicals. On the main stage: "Tim and Scrooge," a sequel to the Dickens classic "A Christmas Carol." And in the Studio Theater downstairs: "Shangri La," a rock-and-roll chronicle of the '60s girl group from Queens that named itself after an imaginary heaven on earth.

Upstairs, we meet Ebenezer Scrooge 12 years after his Christmas Eve epiphany. He's a ghost now himself, having joined ex-partner Jacob Marley in the celestial clouds of Sarah Lambert's airy 19th century set. "Uncle Eb" is about to return for a Christmas Eve intervention of his own. He has bequeathed his countinghouse to (formerly Tiny) Tim, by now a university student who wants none of it. He dreams of marriage and an academic career. But the prospect of being shackled to ledgers causes Tim to break off his engagement before he has introduced his fiancee, Allison, to his family.

An agreeable cast, led by Bobby Steggert as Tim and William McCauley as Scrooge, conjures the warmth that we would expect from a "Christmas Carol" sequel but, as directed by Nick Corley, none of the darkness it needs for dramatic heft. Jessica Grove as Allison joins Tim in a romantic duet on "Pages Are Turning," and her friend Vanessa (Alexis Grausz) in a prefeminist "A Woman's Place." There's even a song about accounting, with clever lyrics by Nick Meglin to Neil Berg's Victorianesque score.

But this straightforward plot is too thin a reed to sustain a running time of 21/2 hours. A sequel should not be so much longer than the original. Cratchit's frolicsome family, while amusing, overdoes the teasing about Martha's baking, Peter's bachelor status and Gerald's impending fatherhood.

With trimming, "Tim and Scrooge" may yet become a lean holiday feast rather than an overstuffed turkey.

"Shangri La," meanwhile, is a confection. As written by Rob Urbinati, with songs from the '60s girl-group era, it's frothy enough to serve as is (though we'd dump the recorded music for a live band). Heather Lind, Jessica Scholl and Jennifer Weingarten as the girls from Cambria Heights known as the Shangri-Las are no cookie-cutter, big-hair ensemble.

Directed with gathering momentum by Michael Goldfried, the show reminds us more of the Broadway hit "Jersey Boys" than the girl-group revue "Beehive." Each Shangri-La takes turns singing lead, bringing, in turn, tart sexuality, melodrama and chatty engagement to such oldies as "Remember (Walking in the Sand)," "Leader of the Pack" and "My Boyfriend's Back."

We follow the girls from Jackson High through "Shindig" to a world tour, which brings them to the realization that the British Invasion has shot down their career as the leading white-girls singing group.

This "Shangri La" may not be paradise on earth, but it is a slice of jukebox heaven.

TIM AND SCROOGE.

World premiere musical by Neil Berg and Nick Meglin. Queens Theatre in the Park, main stage, tonight at 8,

tomorrow at 2 and 8 p.m., Sunday at 3 p.m. Tickets $34.

SHANGRI LA. World premiere musical by Rob Urbinati. Queens Theatre in the Park studio theater, tonight at 8, tomorrow at 2 and 8 p.m. and Dec. 15-17. Tickets $18. Call 718-760-0064 or visit queens theatre.org for either show.

Steve Parks, Newsday
December 8, 2006

Queens Theatre Hosts Girl Group Premiere

The World Premiere of “Shangri La,” a new 60s girl group musical, opens at Queens Theatre in the Park on Friday, Nov. 30, and runs through Sunday, Dec. 10.

“Shangri La,” written by Rob Urbinati, is a witty, energetic new musical that tells the story of three girls growing up in a tough Queens neighborhood who are determined to make it to the top of the charts – and do! With a little grit and a lot of talent, the teens transform themselves into singing sensations, entertaining the audience with great dance numbers and sixties hit songs, including “Leader of the Pack,” “My Boyfriend’s Back” and “Chapel of Love.”

The three teenage girls are played by Jessica Scholl (Broadway’s “Les Miserables” and the European Tour of “Hair”), Heather Lind (“River Deep, A Tribute to Tina Turner”), and Jennifer Weingarten (Helen in “The Trojan Women”).

Director Michael Goldfried has served as Associate Director with some of New York City’s finest theatre companies including the Public Theater and the Manhattan Theatre Club. In 2006 he directed the Off-Broadway production of “Gardening Leave” for the Summer Play Festival. Molly Kramer is the Associate Director for “Shangri La.”

Choreographer Gabrielle Lansner is the Artistic Director of gabrielle lansner & company, and choreographed “River Deep, A Tribute to Tina Turner” at The Peter Jay Sharp Theater. Musical Director Brandon Lowry was musical director for Anthony Rapp’s (RENT) star turn in “Hedwig and the Angry Inch” at Hartford Stage and Pittsburgh City Theatre.

Other creative team members include: Set design by Patrick K. Tennant, Lighting design by Jeff Fightmaster, Costume design by Jacob Climer, Music Consultant Mike Murray, and stage management by Andrea Buekema. The Equity Showcase is produced by Craig Bowley

Playwright Rob Urbinati has written several plays produced in New York including “Hazelwood Jr. High” (New Group), “The People Speak” (The Culture Project), and “Karaoke Night at the Suicide Shack” (Queens Theatre), plus the upcoming “West Moon Street” (The Acting Company and Hudson Guild Theatre). As a director, his New York credits include “Foggy Bottom at the Abingdon,” “Border/Clash” at The Culture Project and the upcoming Suzan-Lori Parks’ 365 NYC Project at Queens Theatre and The Public Theatre.

Tickets for all performances of “Shangri La” are $18 ($17 for Seniors and $14 for Students) and are available at the Queens Theatre in the Park box office at (718) 760-0064, or online at www.queenstheatre.org.

Queens Tribune
November 18, 2006