CHAPLIN THE MUSICAL at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre

(Seen September 12, 2012)

While CHAPLIN... is not the show that Charlie Chaplin deserves, it is an olio of the events and elements that made him the movie star and multi-talented artist that created a score of great motion pictures.  His films always reached out and touched the hearts of his audience.

CHAPLIN... may be superficial in its depiction of those events in his life, but despite its shortcomings, it is an entertaining show.  Underneath all the glitz, it's a story of a lonely tramp always looking for love in the wrong places and with the wrong people.  But finally, with his last wife, Oona, he finds a soul-mate who loves him for himself, rather than for his persona and public image.

Rob McClure inhabits Chaplin comfortably, in all aspects --- performer, dancer, singer.  He may be low-key, but he is always believable.  The entire cast works well as an ensemble, with fine work from Christiane Noll as his unbalanced mother, Michael McCormick in multiple roles, and particularly Zachary Unger as both the young Charlie and as Jackie Coogan.

The book is by Christopher Curtis and veteran Thomas Meehan, with music and lyrics by Curtis.  Warren Carlyle directed and choreographed with a light hand, with set designs by Beowulf Boritt.  Though far from perfect, it is a show that deserves a long run.