“Cruel Intentions :The 90’s Musical”

[rating=2]Over the years, I have stated that movies do not always convert to great musicals and vice-versa. I know that a lot of people were very excited to hear that Broadway In Chicago was bringing the touring company of “Cruel Intentions :the 90s Musical” to its Broadway Playhouse ( the most intimate space for a ditty such as this), but for us older folk, this is probably not the evening we expected.

Based on the film by Roger Kumble that was based on  another film. “Les Laisons Dangereuses “by Choderlos De Lachos. Kumble’s film starring  Sarah Michelle Geller, Ryan Phillippe, Selma Blair and Reese Witherspoon, moved to New York has become a cult classic. Judging from the younger people in the audience and their response, they knew the story perfectly. The only difference is the music, filling in the spaces to keep the story on target. The music is music that they also knew ( in fact, they seemed to know what was coming before it was sung). Songs by Melissa Etheridge, Boys II Men, R.E.M., Garbage, Marcy Playground, No Doubt, Backstreet Boys Christina Aguilera and a host of others. 21 songs in all during this two- hour plus play.

The story is now in New York. Sebastian ( Jeffrey Kringer has a marvelous voice and stage presence, and as the lady behind me said a great derriere) and his half -sister,Kathryn ( handled to perfection by the very sultry Taylor Pearlstein) make a bet ( a bet with the devil in many ways). Sebastian has to de-flower the daughter of the new headmaster of their private school, Annette ( deftly handled by Betsy Stewart). The play is about their quest to do what they can to hurt others and  about the wager- if she wins she gets his car, if he wins, he gets her!

Anyone who gets in their way will pay the price. But what happens in this contrived story is that true love and emotion gets in the way of their mischief, and in the end, true love takes the lead, ahead of the temptations they have set for others in their path. The ensemble of players:John Battagliese, Richard Crandle, Dara Orland, Brooke Singer ( she is adorable as the “virgin” in the story that is led to a world she never knew), and David Wright. These are talented and very energetic performers who sing and dance as well as act.

There are some very graphic scenes involving homosexuality as well as sex scenes ( well,not actual, but you will get the idea) and our hero ( or is he the villain) does show us his A_ _! If you are 30 something and into this film, you will probably love what you see , but for those who truly enjoyed “The Jersey Boys” last night, this one will probably not feel as good! Many of last night’s audience knew all of the music and evidently the soundtrack is available. Who knew?

“Cruel Intentions”-the 90s Musical will continue thru April 14th at the Broadway Playhouse, 175 E. Chestnut with a schedule as follows:

tonight and next Thursday  7:30 p.m.

Fridays  7:30 p.m.

Saturdays  2 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Sundays  2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Tickets range from $35-$72 and are available at any of the Broadway In Chicago box offices, by phone at 1-800-775-2000 or online at www.BroadwayInChicago.com

to follow the show visit http:www.cruelmusical.com/

to see what others are saying, visit www.theatreinchicago.com, go to Review Round-Up and click at “Cruel Intentions: the 90’s Musical”

Running time, with intermission 2 hours and 30 minutes

Water Parking is the easy way to go. Do not forget to pick up the special validation at the box office. Makes the fee $14 ( a value on Michigan Avenue)