Daily News from New York, New York • 186

ZX1 Musical is a Movie Fan Gives IV2 Stars yo Legit By JAMES DAVIS Are moviegoers so stubborn they eannofe possibly be wooed into the legitimate theaters? Are the hundreds of millions of dollars of taxpayers' money spent annually on drama workshops, regional and universi ty theaters wasted About a Poor Musical By DOUGLAS WATT "Smith," which opened Saturday night at the Eden Theater, is the story of a man whose life assumes the form of a musical comedy. Just his luck it should turn out to be efforts to change the minds of dedicated ilmgoers Perhaps only a survey in depth could brir.g us the answer. Goodman Reunion The original Benny Goodman Quartet will be reunited for the opening night at the 20th Newport Jazz Festival-New York. Benny Goodman on clarinet, Lionel Hampton playing vibes, Gene Krupa on drums and Teddy Wilson at the piano will be at Carnegie Hall on June 29, at 7:30 p.m. strikes the' audience as just a bit much.

She says "In films actors relate to each other. Lines are delivered in a normal voice. On stage, they exaggerate them and speak in exclamation points. And sometimes they give a less than perfect image of the character they are playing. One of my acquaintances who had a seat very close to the stage observed that one of the actresses wore a dress that was in need of dry cleaning.

That was a bit disenchanting." And that seems to sum up the feeling of one person who prefers film-going to attending the 3 xn 3 Hi to "ONE OF fp, URIS THEATRE cast alfcums Tapes BUDDAH RECORDS a dud musical. "Follies" employed this theme brilliantly a couple of seasons ago, and earlier in the current season a trifle called anetver tried something similar. "Smith," in spite of some bright tunes, makes only trivial and fumbling use of the idea. The authors Dean Fuller, Tony Hendra and Matt Dubey have imagined a staid young botanist who conducts research at a fertilizer plant in Tenafly, N.J. He fires his adoring lab assistant of five years a mousy, bespectacled girl and suddenly finds on his desk what appears to be the script for a musical comedy about himself.

That script, unfortunately never seems to have taken shape. For the rest of the evening, we follow Smith, nonplused and re- Don Murray and (in Michael Tartel rear) sentful at bieng caught up in a show, as he is first sent to a South Sea island in search of A plant said to possess weight-reducing properties, along with an aphrodisiac side effect, and then to New York to peddle it to the highest bidder. Following him at every turn Is a lissome and radiant young woman that mousy lab as-sistant, of course for whom he eventually tumbles head over heels in an exceedingly long and 'nicely choreographed kiss. That's about all there is to "Smith," except that a "boss 'stagehand" keeps appearing to order his crew to strike sets, and to keep cuing the awkward hero, even to the point of instructing him, and joining with him, in a snappy song-and-dance interlude Need a when feels the "show" is faltering. -Though the brusque "stagehand" is amusingly played by Louis the device becomes increasingly annoying.

HURRY! LAST 8 DAYS TODAY (MON.) AT THES. thru FRI. 1 7:30 P.M. SUN. asd MAY I I is a in by of a a of of If be 28 Some people think so.

They be lieve that, at the rate new playwrights and actors are being turned out, eventually the audiences at the various funded theaters will be made up of new actors and new playwrights. Meanwhile, at an alarming rate movie fans refuse to attend live theater. Such a person is Sally Wish, who writes from Chicago that, after sampling the legitimate theater, she remains convinced that movies are best. She says: "I prefer films to plays. Most actors say they are happier doing a play, and I recall Martin Balsam rapping the floor of a stage and saying: 'This is where it's or the like.

I mused to myself: How many people heard of him before he became well known in films? Remembering Names many theatergoers bother to remember the names of character actors, as compared to film buffs?" She continues: "I can understand actors desiring the 'feel' of a live audience, to catch its reaction. They even throw their lines to the audience, which makes the story of John Barrymore throwing out fish believable. "They glance surreptitiously into the audience. I saw one actress from Dublin stand so close to the edge of the stage I was afraid she'd fall off as she recited to us." More Honest Playing Miss Wish believes that "bigger than life" stage playing often TONIGHT AT 7:38 "The dancingest show in town" is Broadway's Biggest hit! PHONE ES ACCEPTED OVALE THEATRE 142 West 45 tli street. 24VS7M See ABC's for detail ONLY Y.

APPEARANCE THIS YEAR! 125 Si It aWc 74f ififiZ I the "BLACK CAESAR" 1 show I JAMS IBROWtl I fllSSLYil the 1 I COLLINS J.B.'s 1 1 CLAY TYSON 1 I THE VARIATIONS! Ticketf t.T))etre I 1 1 LA 1 mm mm 1 wuw 10 in 'SMITH Musical comedy with book by Dean duller, Tony Hendra and Matt Dubey, and songs by Dubey and Fuller, produced by Jordan Hott, Robert Anglund, Alexander Bedrosian, Iris Kopelan and Jack Millstein at the Eden Theater, May 19, 1973. THE PRINCIPALS Melody Harleton Virginia Sandlfur Walter Smith Don Murray Ed Baggett Mort Marshall Mrs. Smith Carol Morlev Raton Lous Criscuolo Jaoues Michael Tartel Chief Punitana Guy Spaull Sinclair Firestone Ted Thurston The songs, by Dubey and Fuller, are catchy. Written in the cocky, rhythmic and enlivening style of the late Frank Loesser, they occasionally sweep the sorry book aside and let us enjoy them for themselves. The most striking "You're in New York Now," rousing ensemble piece about today's city that opens the second act with a bang.

There are a couple of attractive ballads, too, though the one called "Melody," which the hero is at a loss for words in addressing the heroine, was anticipated years earlier lyricist Ira Gershwin in "What Can You bay in a Love bong and Don Murray, who stars as Smith in this last big musical the season, is personable enough but is called upon to do little other than be pushed about for most of the evening, now and then raising his voice, with more good will than ability, in song number. Virginia Sandifur, who plays Melody, sings prettily and dances buoyantly, and she is certainly nice to have around. That pint-sized veteran Mort Marshall plays Smith's boss, president of the fertilizer firm, with customary spiritedness. Others contributing to the evening's minor pleasures are Ted Thurston as corpulent tycoon, Guy Spaull and Michael Tartel as island big shots, Carol Morley both as Smith's prancing mom and an Irish maid, and a fetching line girls. Neal Kenyon direction and Michael Shawn's choreography are brisk.

Fred Voelpel's sliding and descending scenery depicts everything from an erupting volcano to a well-stocked lab, and Winn Morton's costumes tag along to provide grassy outfits for the islanders and chic clothing for the New York mob. The smart orchestrations are Jonathan Tunick's, and Richard Parri-nello conducts the pit band. "Smith" presents us with the spectacle of a lot of agreeable people spending a good deal of time flounderine about in search worthwhile to do. they ever find it, Id like to there. thru MAY 28 12:30 P.M.

SAT. 0:30 A.M.. 318 P.M. at 1:15 5:30 P.M. 'Mr (III I 1 hour before showtime (212) 844 4400 tor location neat you 'Vanya Premiere "Uncle Venva" will onen at 7 tonight at the Circle in the Square-Levine Theater.

OiirecOoiry SPEC. HOL. MAT. MON. MAY 28, 3 LOVE SEESAW" Earl MICHELE LEE KEN HOWARD A tV The Million Dollar Musical Thea 51 St.

W. of Bwav. 584-4510 TICKETS SOLD AT TICKETRON: 444-4400 Ergs. 7.30,- Mats. Wed.

A Sat. 2 ff PErFS SUN. MAY 27 at 3 i- 8 P.M. MON. MAY 2S at 2 45 l.

JEST PLAY TONY AWARD THRILLER I HAVE EVER SfcEN. Clii-e Barnes. Y. Times PATRICK MACNEE JORDAN CHRISTOPHER The Hit Thriller FOR GROUP SALES ONLY CALL: 244-4637 MUSIC BOX 237 W. 45 St.

444-4434 Evgs. at 8 P.M. Mais. Wed. Sat.

2, Sun 3 SPEC. HOL. MAT. MON. MAY 28 at 2:30 8 P.M MATS.

WED. SAT 2 "AN EXCEPTIONAL FUNNY MUSICAL BRILLIANT AND DELIGHTFUL." Watrs, Port A 2nd Smash Year! The Musical Comedy Hit MAJESTIC Thea. 245 W. 44 St. 244-0738 TRIPLE CROWN WINNER PULIT2ER TONY N.Y.

CRITICS PRIZE AWARD AWARD THAT CHAMPIONSHIP SEASON BOOTH THEA. 45 St. W. of Bwv. 244-5949 Mon--Sat.

Ev9s. 7:30. Mats. Wed, a Sat, at 2 EXTRA HOL. MAT.

MON. MAY 28 at 3 "I RECOMMEND IT!" Wc.ttj, Post TRIUMPHANT!" Barr.es, Time HE CHANGING ROOM MOROSCO 45 W. of B'way, 244-4238 Ergs. 8. Mats.

Wed. Sat. May 28. 3 Mon-Sat Ergs 8 PM. MoTs Wed Sat 2:30 "SOMETHING TO CHEER ABOUT" Leonard Probst, SBC TFERENC MOLNAR'S HIT! HE PLAY'S THE THING Student Rush Tix AvailPhone Res.

Accent. BtJOO THEA. 20 W. 45th St. 757-8455 For Group Sales Only CaU 354-1032 SPEC.

HOL. MAT. MON. MAY 2S, 3 PM "A GLORIOUSLY FUNNY PLAY." Barnes. N.Y.

Times HECTOR BARBARA TELIZONDO BARRIE HE PRISONER OF SECOND AVENUE A New Comedy by NEIL SIMON Directed by MIKE NICHOLS EUGENE O'NEILL TH. W. 49 St. 244-0220 7:30: Mats. Wed.

A Sat at 2 FOR GROUP SALES ONLY CALL 794-3074 SPEC. MAT MON. MAY 28 at 3 P.M. "NEIL SIMON'S BEST PLAY YWT. A JOY A LOVELY PLAY, EXTRAORDINARILY FUNNY." Clme Barnes.

N.Y. Tinws TNEIL SIMON'S new comedy HE SUNSHINE EOTS -B-ROADHURST Tnea 235 W. 44 St. 244-4409 FOR GROUP SALES ONLY CALL 584-4591 Evas. 7:30 Mats.

Wed. a Sat. at 2 Tickets also at TICKETRON: 444-4400 3 MATS WKLY: Wed. Sat at 2. Sun.

3 "MARVEROUSLY BITCHY FROM BEGINNING TO END. THOROUGHLY ENJOYABLE AND CONTINUALLY FUNNY." Leonard Probst. NBC-Radio RHONDA KIM DOROTHY FLEMING HUNTER LOUDON MYBNA ALEXIS TLOY SMITH in Clare Booth Luce's WOMEN Directed by MORTON DA COSTA FOR GROUP SALES CALL: 794-3074 44TH STREET Thea. 224 W. 44 St.

244-4271 7:30. Mats. Wed. Sat. 2, Sun 3 UJV'OW THROUGH JULY 28 ANTON CHEKHOV'S XCLE VANYA MMu-Sat.

Mats. Wed. ft Sat. at $7 9S VTicfcatS altt At rTICKETftON: 444-4400 legitimate theater. Are the fed eral, state, city and various foun-1 dation grants being wasted on Tlhecrteir THIS YEAR'S BEST MUSICAL TONY AWARD WINNER f.UTIFUL, DARING, INNOVATIVE MUSICAL.

Harris, CBS-TV LITTLE XIGHT MUSIC a neto musical starring GLYNIS LEN HERMIONE JOHNS CARIOU GLNGOIJJ FOR GROUP SALES CALL: 76-3074 SHUBERT THE 225 W. 44 St. 26-5990 Ev9s. 7:30. Mats.

Wed. Sat. 2 ACTORS FUND PERF JU.VE 3 at 7 30 BOX OFFICE OPEN TODAY SOW THRU JVSE 17 O.VLY! THE REPERTORY THEATER OF LINCOLN CENTER A TENNESSEE WILLIAMS" STREETCAR XAMED DESIRE VIVIAN BEAUMONT, 750 W. iS St. Sun.

Mats. Sat. Sun. 2 "CHRISTOPHER PLUMMER IS SIMPLY MAGNIFICENT." Barnes, N.Y. Times "'CYRANO' IS A BIG ROMANTIC AND MELODIOUS CBS-TV CHRISTOPHER PLUMMER as CYRANO New Musical based on Cyrano de Bergerac FOR GROUP SALES CALL: (212) 354-1022 PALACE THEATRE.

1544 B'way. 757-242 Theatre Parties Contact Your Agent SPEC. HOL. MAT. MON.

MAY 28, 3 PM 4 Mats. Wlcly: Wed. Thurs. Sat. 2.

Sun. 3 JEAN KERR's best comedy yet BARBARA ROBERT BEL GEDDES LANSING IXISHIXG TOUCHES PLYMOUTH 73i W. 45 St. J4VI5 SPEC HOL. MAT.

MON. MAY 28. 3 PM "A MUSICAL KNOCKOUT!" Probst, SBC GREASE The Veto Musical Comedy HH1 PHONE RESERVATIONS: 245-570 TICKETS ALSO AT TICKETRON 44-4400 FOR GROUP SALES ONLY CALL: 354-1032 Ev9S. 7:30. Mats.

Wed. Sat. 2 ROY ALE THEA-, 242 W. 45 St. 25-5740 "A LIVELY A ENTERTAINING SHOW." Richard Wnffs.

Post "DEBBIE REYNOLDS IS SUPERB. 'IRENE' IS A VERY GOOD SHOW" Kevin Sanders, ABC-TV DEBBIE REYNOLDS in 1R A Musical Comedy Alsm Starring MONTE GEORGE S. RUTH MARKHAM IRVING WARRICK and PATSY KELLY Man. thru Sat. Eves, at 7:30: $15, 12 10, 4.

Wed. Mats, at 2 P.M. 8 4. Sat. Mats, at 2 P.M.: 510.

7, 4. S. MINSKOFF Thea. 45 St. W.

of Bwv. A-05S3 FOR GROUP SALES ONLY CALL: 75-4-3074 HURRY! LAST WEEKS! 3 MATS WKLY: Wed. Sat. at 2. Sun.

3 "A TRIUMPH!" Watt. Netos EST'S CHRIST SUPERSTAR SEATS NOW FOR ALL PERFS. Mark Hellinmr, 51 St. W. of Bwav.

757-70S0 7:30. Mats. Wed. Sat. 2, Sun.

3 9 P.M. MATS WED. SAT. 2 "THE PERFECT AFTER DWNCft ENTERTAINMENT." Dougios Watt, News NE. G.

MARSHALL tn ASH AT NENE A Wordsical HELEN HAYES Th. 210 W. 44 St. 244-43M WINNER OF 5 TONY AWARDS BROADWAY'S BIGGEST HIT MUSICAL COMEDY "ONE OF THE BEST MUSICAL STAGINGS TO BE SEEN ON BROADWAY IN YfcARS." Cave names, a.x. iraira PIPPIN MAIL ORDERS ACCEPTED $12, 10, 5.

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