“The Book of Merman” reviewed by Julia W. Rath

[rating=3]Cute, sweet, and funny, “The Book of Merman”, written by Leo Schwartz and D.C. Cathro, with music and lyrics by Leo Schwartz, is light and lighthearted entertainment. Based nominally on the famed Broadway musical “The Book of Mormon”, this homespun show features singing, dancing, and music as well. But today’s story has a twist. Two Mormon proselytizers Elder Braithwaite (Alex Iacobucci) and Elder Schumway (Danny Ferenczi), have been going door to door and are as yet unsuccessful in their mission to get some household to want to read (and accept) their holy book on the Later-Day Saints in America. They decide to knock on one last door, with the initials “E.M.” over it. Maybe this house could be their key to success? And, in an unexpected way, it is! Who should greet them but Ethel Merman (Julie Peterson), even though she reportedly died in April of 1984! It doesn’t seem likely that she is alive today, but obviously this fated occurrence is meant to be! She mistakes them for door-to-door salesmen, peddling magazine subscriptions. Peterson does a fine job as an Ethel Merman impersonator with the timbre and boldness of her belting vocals.

Elder Schumway, the younger and less senior of the two men in Mormonism, is shocked and pleased that he has finally met his famous Broadway hero. This is when we learn that he doesn’t simply idolize Ethel but is smitten with the idea of performing on stage himself. He is actually a budding singer and actor. But Elder Braithwaite is none too happy about this. He feels that his colleague is moving away from preaching God’s word and instead is moving towards a life of sin. Only later in the show do we realize that Elder Braithwaite has his own hidden talent: the gift of writing music and songs.

What I liked best about the story was its underlying message that you have to be the person that you are supposed to be, whatever that may mean. I also liked Ethel’s idea that God works in mysterious ways and that you don’t necessarily have to be a Bible-thumper to know that God can work through you. To indicate his change in outlook during the course of the show, Elder Schumway later sings: “Though my God is in heaven, my heart is in another place.” So the underlying question, then, is whether and how one is called to serving God? Is the straight and narrow path always the best? Or is there something else? And what does it mean for each individual?

For me, the issues that I had with this show had to do with matters of a secular nature, ironically the “Deus Ex Machina” moment when Ethel appears alive in the flesh and Elder Schumway happens to be carrying her biography with him! But as we all know, truth is sometimes stranger than fiction, and this part of the story actually does work out when we get towards the end. Although there are a good number of funny and charming moments, it is the wealth of songs (eighteen, to be exact) and several dance numbers in this 90-minute show (plus one intermission) which nicely fill the noticeable gaps in a fairly thin storyline. While some songs carry the action forward, a few are reprises of melodies in Ethel Merman’s famed singing career but with some different lyrics and nuance. I felt there should have been more of her own well-known songs in this show.

The set design by Scott Richardson works fine for the type of small stage production. I was particularly impressed by the cleverly done 180-degree movement involving the pink front door. This door is directly ahead of us at center stage at the beginning of the play. After the two Mormons knock on the door, the doorway part of the set is rolled towards the rear of the stage to reveal the living room of Ethel’s house, and we see the two actors enter by opening the door and traversing from the back of the stage to the front. The lighting accompanying the door’s movement is great, creating an illusion that resembles a cut in a movie; thanks to the work of Pat Henderson. Costumes by Patty Halajian work well for this story. I was especially pleased with music director and music designer Jeremy Ramey and his gorgeous performance on the piano behind the scrim. Needless to say, director and choreographer Ty Perry has done an outstanding job with the stage movement and the dance numbers, adding fun and energy to the production.

What is great about this story is how the message of being true to one’s own calling is essential. But first, you have to discover what gifts you have in yourself and develop the self-confidence to promote them. Related to this, there is a saying throughout the New Testament: “Don’t hide your light under a bushel.” Having said this, I’m not sure that an audience member who is not already religiously inclined would necessarily like this show, since there are quite a number of references to God and to God’s purpose, which they may not be able to relate to. And needless to say, I’m not sure that an audience member who is Mormon (or who is sympathetic to those who actively proselytize others) would like this show either, as it does take some jabs at the Mormon religion, its texts, its deeper meaning, and its approach to gaining converts. Then again, the original “Book of Mormon” is likewise a satire and one of the most popular musicals in the history of Broadway.

“The Book of Merman” is playing through February 26, 2023, at the Skokie Theatre, 7924 Lincoln Avenue, Skokie, Illinois.

Tickets: $45 – Students/Seniors: $38

Performance schedule:

Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m.
Sundays at 2:00 p.m.
Wednesday Matinee at 1:30 p.m. on February 15th

For more information and to purchase tickets, go to: https://skokietheatre.org/book-of-merman.html.

For general information and to learn about their other offerings, see: https://skokietheatre.org/.

“In accordance with guidelines from the CDC, masks are strongly recommended but are not required….This policy may change as conditions evolve.”

Parking is available in the Bank of America lot adjacent to the theatre. There is also ample street parking, a public lot across the street next to Robert’s Office Supply, and two public lots at the corner of Lincoln and Oakton.

To see what others are saying, visit www.theatreinchicago.com, go to Review Round-Up and click at “The Book of Merman”.