By Marilyn Lester***After several performances last season at Don’t Tell Mama (see our review here), Andrea Bell Wolff’s Adventures in Vegas is now playing a limited run at the newly renovated AMT Theater on West 45th Street. It’s a suggestion we made in the review—that the show was worthy of a larger production, and we’re delighted it has re-em
erged in a theatrical venue.
Adventures in Vegas is more than a cabaret, approaching a fully-formed theatrical presentation. The larger space still retains the intimacy the show requires, and it well suits the many talents of Wolff and her crew. Who could not love this petite and vivacious dynamo of a storyteller? The show is supremely entertaining, dramatically sound, with pathos and comedy, and ultimately is a fun romp of time well-spent.
The core of Adventures in Vegas is a nostalgic reminiscence of youth, based on a diary kept long ago, of a seminal year in the making of the woman to come. With the still youthful Wolff telling her story in narrative and song, it’s hard to believe these events happened a half century ago, but they did, when the seasoned performer of now was a girl of 19. Those of a certain age will identify with the swinging 60s and early 1970s. What a time it was, as Wolff recounts it—with no holds barred through ups and downs in career, friendships, life and love.
Why Vegas? Tired of her role as Ermengarde in several productions of Hello, Dolly! she yearned to perform Minnie Faye, but was passed over for the part. An opportunity for change came and she took it— working in the famous L.V. Bottoms Up revue! And so Wolff landed in the Vegas of the mob a
nd the Rat Pack, a far cry from the tamed-down family-oriented vacation destination the city is now. A baker’s dozen of songs are perfectly matched to the text, including “Vegas” (Sara Bareilles), “Pretty Young Men” (Susan Birkenhead, Lucy Simon), “End of the World” (Matt Alber) and more. Arrangements are innovative and Wolff excels at singing them, especially in ballad form. Yet a little swing and more uptempo added would benefit the production and help give it more lift.
Las Vegas got its nickname, “Sin City” for a reason, and it was inevitable that a teen of the time, especially one in show business, would explore the free and easy lifestyle. There was definitely “Sex Education” (Suzanne Buhrer) and Wolff’s intersection with Rusty Warren, often called the “mother of the sexual revolution.” Warren’s most famous song, “Bounce Your Boobies,” a hilarious “patriotic” burlesque was executed by Wolff to perfection, as was the risqué double entendre “Hot Dog Song” (Tausha Hammed, Clearance Williams). But by the end
of a year in Las Vegas, the then Andrea Bell, realized for oh, so many reasons, there’s no place like home—the City of New York.
While Adventures in Vegas is essentially a one-woman show, Elliott Litherland, billed as “Special Guest” is on hand with the full force of his charm and good looks to serve as a sometime narrator, deliverer of props and acting adjunct. His theatrical multitasking added to the structure of the show, with dimension. His portrayal of Wolff’s agent “Muriel” was a hilarious turn, especially.
Adventures in Vegas is normally run with photos and clips projected on a large screen above the stage. At our performance, technical difficulties precluded that. The projections were not missed. The show is strong enough to stand on its own terms. In a more sophisticated production, projections might be a theatrical enhancement, but given the limitations of the AMT space itself, they turned out to be expendable.
Should Wolff take Adventures in Vegas to the next step of expanding the narrative and theatrical elements, it would make a fine and rewarding experience. Stronger, more experienced, sophisticated direction would also help elevate the show at this level or the next.
Adventures in Vegas was created by Wolff, director Jimmy Larkin and music director Jude Obermüller, whose musical crew of bassists (Sam Zarna or Matt Aronoff) and drummer (Dougg Hinrichs or Eli Cohen) provided able support. Jacob Stelby also manned the keyboard as Obermüller’s alternate.
Adventures in Vegas plays Wednesday evenings and Saturday matinees until August 24. For tickets, go here
The AMT Theater is located at 354 W 45th Street, NYC
Photos by Mia Katz
