ABOUT FACE - Edge: Boston review

Set at a college and dealing with the competition for funding between Athletics and the humanities department, About Face is special in all departments! Its plot seems tight and right and satisfyingly predictable thanks to a certain playwright named Shakespeare, whose "Much Ado About Nothing" provides the framework. Even so, much ado must be still afforded David Arthur’s witty script and lyrics and Jeffrey Lodin’s talents as composer.

"About Face" abounds with musical comedy traditions, lovingly going by the book just as does its bibliophile heroine, singing the praises of choosing "A Good Book" over romance. Her sports-minded nemesis (and maybe romantic interest if you note character names and inevitable Shakespeare parallels) is rather a misogynist whose disdain for the opposite sex matches hers perfectly. Barbara Walsh crackles with snippy, snapping energy and later shows the lurking vulnerability and longing covered by layers of self-protective shell. Barbara’s timing is sharp and her barbs are great: when asked why she’s not married, she quips, "Just lucky, I guess."

Among the expected presences -- football players, drama students, innocently lovestruck co-eds -- two Marks get high marks giving it the old college try: Mark Zimmerman as that aforementioned nemesis and Mark Christine doing double duty as brothers (he’s better as the nice one of the pair). His sweet song about his teacher crush is touching, but the plot point is too handily dispensed with here (in the interest of time?). But someone should be expelled for not giving dynamic Pamela Myers another big song or two. As the free-spirited drama teacher, she’s a treasure.

Look for this show to return as a "graduate" of the NYMF festival; its balance of peppy and tender songs is a master class in audience-pleasing.


Direction and set design by Nick Corley. See www.nymf.org for full festival schedule, song samples, details. Final performance 9/24 at 9 pm. Played at 37 Arts.


Rob Lester is a freelance writer living in lovely N.Y.C., also contributing weekly to www.TalkinBroadway.com (Sound Advice, etc.), Cabaret Scenes Magazine, www.CabaretExchange.com and is a judge for the Nightlife Awards and next year’s Bistro Awards. He welcomes feedback at onthejobrob@gmail.com


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