“Clinton” at The Alice Griffin Jewel Box Theatre (Closed on Saturday July 26, 2014)
“Clinton” at The Alice Griffin Jewel Box Theatre (Closed on Saturday July 26, 2014) Book by Michael Hodge and Paul Hodge Music and Lyrics by Paul Hodge Directed by Adam Arian Reviewed by David Roberts Theatre Reviews Limited
The smarmy, insipid, and infantile “Clinton” has crawled west from the 2012 Edinburgh Festival Fringe to have a run at the New York Musical Theatre Festival. This boring musical about the presidency of Bill Clinton (or might it be about something else – matters not) depends on puerile sight gags, profanity, and a pernicious book by the Hodges. The musical has no purpose, no redeeming quality, and - one would wish – no future.
This critic had the courage to walk out after thirty-five excruciating minutes – just after an actor embarrassed himself performing a song about Kenneth Starr. The team behind this mess of a musical decided to draw on every stereotype ever heaped upon a gay male to characterize Mr. Starr. Why, one asks? Well, hold on, those Hodges have the two male Clintons (yes, there is a Billy and a WJ) ask following the actor’s bump-and-grind number in sheer shorts and “leather” adornment, “Now why did we decide to have Kenneth Starr be gay in this show.” Their answer was my impetus to flee to safety: “Because he’s going to (expletive deleted) us!”
The patron next to me dropped her head and emitted a pained groan. I left – quickly. What happened thereafter – as good as it might have been – could not excuse or redeem the use of the vile and unnecessary homophobic slur.
No mention will be made of the actors trapped in this hapless endeavor. This mess was spawned by Michael Hodge and Paul Hodge and they and director Adam Arian bear the responsibility for the creative blunder called “Clinton.” Obviously there is no need to see this musical now or ever.
CLINTON
“Clinton” completed its run at NYMF on Saturday July 26th at 5:00 p.m. at The Alice Griffin Jewel Box Theatre at The Pershing Square Signature Center, 480 West 42nd Street, NYC 10036 West 42nd Street, NYC 10036. For further information about the show and about the New York Musical Theatre Festival, visit nymf.org.
Permalink | Posted by David Roberts on Friday, July 25, 2014
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