Libretto: Scott Urban; Score: Robert Solone. At: Village Players Performing Arts Center, 1010 W. Madison, Oak Park. Phone: 866-764-1010; $20-$25. Runs through: Sept. 21.
It's obvious what demographic Village Players Theatre is targeting with Love in the Middle Ages: A Baby Boomer's Guide to Love and Sex. As a world premiere musical at the renovated Village Players Performing Arts Center, Love in the Middle Ages also shows the company's high aspirations.
But don't take Love in the Middle Ages' long title literally. For a real guide to the challenges and joys faced by baby boomers re-entering the dating scene, look elsewhere.
Everyone in this show penned by author/lyricist/actor Scott Urban and composer Bob Solone comes off as wisecracking TV sitcom denizens reciting retreads of hoary sex jokes. And there are simply too many characters fighting for stage time for them to have any real depth.
Without a central character or situation to focus on, Love in the Middle Ages rambles along from one incident to another. Some are funny and somewhat touching; others are puzzling, like the pot-smoking party to show how young everyone is.
Love in the Middle Ages lacks an opening number ( something all good musicals typically need ) and instead throws out clunky exposition. There are the middle-aged folks neatly divided into a group of three men and four women, then the younger twentysomething barkeeps at McGuffin's, the suburban Irish pub where everyone hangs out.
Widower Joe ( Guy Klinzing ) invites recently divorced shoe salesman Larry ( Jeff Jones doing a nerdy take on Married with Children's Al Bundy ) and hefty bachelor Brad ( Urban ) to move into his empty house.
Could this be a fun spin on The Odd Couple meets The Golden Girls? Alas, the authors don't exploit it comically.
More Golden Girls comparisons come to mind with the women. There's 50-year-old birthday girl Sarah ( Danon Dastugue ) , promiscuous three-time divorcee Ronnie ( Joanna Riopelle doing a variation on Blanche Blache Devereaux ) , catch-phrase-spouting ad executive Nancy ( Michelle McKenzie-Voight ) and wife Donna ( Mary Hobein ) .
Surprisingly for a musical celebrating baby boomers, the most confident and polished portrayals ( seen at a preview performance ) come from the twentysomethings. Sarah Pitard is funny as the blonde airhead Tiffany and Patrick Tierney exudes plenty of confidence as the randy Chip.
Jeny Wasilweski is solid playing college student Jennifer, although her character's fling with an older man isn't dramatically explored like it could be.
Director Jason A. Fleece does what he can to keep the show moving and help the jokes to land, though the meandering material prevents any dramatic tension from taking hold.
If Love in the Middle Ages were a sitcom, there would be a whole season to know about the characters' plights and issues. But as a one-time musical, there are just too many people and situations to fully care.
