University of Virginia Library

Vulgarization

The real problem is Mr. Stone's
book. After a while you simply get
tired of the anachronistic
vulgarization and the constant
straining for dumb jokes (Noah to a
dove: "Never have sons. If you see
an egg that looks like a boy, you'd
better make an omelet."). Some
of the characters come across as
cheap caricatures of no interest
whatsoever. More sincerity is
desperately needed to eliminate the
tackiness.

Mr. Kaye is a delight as Noah,
wobbling across the stage at 600
years old and, later and
rejuvenated, prancing all around at
90. Mr. Kaye is an entertainer who
has complete control of his
audience at all times, and when he
is on stage the situation looks
brighter.

Joe Layton, who has to be the
most overrated director in the
business, has staged the show in an
adequate, conventional fashion.
Much of "Two By Two" is
tolerable and parts of it are more
than mediocre. But if a musical is
to be really good, something has to
shine, something has to catch fire,
something has to happen. And in
"Two By Two," something doesn't.

* * *

I have been requested by the
office of producer Harold Prince to
make it known to the University
community that the tickets for his
hit musical, "Company," which I
endorsed last month, are scaled so
that there are $4, $3, and $2 seats
on sale for each performance, in
order that theatre-going need not
be an expensive habit. As always, if
anyone is planning a trip to New
York and would like advice about
what shows to see and assistance in
obtaining tickets, feel free to
contact me.