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12/16/2011 12:08 AM

NY1 Theater Review: "Lysistrata Jones"

By: Roma Torre

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"Lysistrata Jones" continues to delight on Broadway. NY1’s Roma Torre filed the following review.

Dying is easy; comedy is hard. Those sage words likely came from someone in the theatre who understood perfectly well how difficult it is to get a genuine laugh on stage. And so, no matter how silly, when a show comes along that pleases the eye, ear and funnybone as much as "Lysistrata Jones", attention must be paid.

Against all odds, “Lysistrata Jones,” inspired by ancient Greek comedy, born in a basement gym featuring a cast of basketball playing unknowns, has moved up to the big leagues of Broadway. And without any pretensions, this infectiously clever and tuneful little musical comedy remains a winner.

Douglas Carter Beane's hysterically hip book tells the story of a losing college basketball team that prefers partying to shooting hoops. Their cheerleader girlfriends, hoping to spark a winning attitude withhold sex until the boys change their tune. It's risqué in a PG sort of way and there's even a morality lesson built in.

Director/choreographer Dan Knetchtges stepped it up from the Off-Broadway production with a bigger budget and expanded staging. But he wisely maintained the show's sweetly sardonic tone. And his teasing high-energy choreography sizzles with just enough sexual heat.

The music works on the bigger stage as well. Cranked up perhaps a little too loud, Lewis Flinn's catchy songs are sure to score, particularly with a younger audience.

The entire company remains intact from the spring production. And each member of this very fit and talented cast stands out. Let's hear it for all of them, and five resounding cheers for Patti Murin, Josh Segarra, Jason Tam, Lindsay Nicole Chambers and the bigger than life Liz Mikel.

Serious theatergoers may find “Lysistrata Jones” slight entertainment. But let's be fair, it's not serious theatre. My 16-year-old daughter says it's "bangin". To put it another way: you'll have a ball!