Play Review: Woody Allen’s ‘Bullets Over Broadway’ Premieres in L.A.

Cast of “Bullets Over Broadway” departing from New York to Boston during conclusion of Act 1. – Courtesy Photo

Broadway Musical Collides With Hollywood Noir at Pantages Theatre

By Gus Herrera

 It was a dark and rainy evening on Hollywood Boulevard for the premiere of the musical comedy “Bullets Over Broadway,” but the Pantages Theatre shone like a beacon against the dark “Gotham-like” backdrop of the night. The brilliant art-deco architecture combined with the theatre staff and a surprising amount of patrons dressed in vintage attire effectively transported the venue back in time to the New York City of the Roaring ‘20s. There really could not have been a better location to host this premiere and, to be honest, the cold, east-coast night truly completed the experience, appropriately making it feel more like Broadway than L.A.

“Bullets Over Broadway” is based on the screenplay written by Allen and Doug McGrath for Woody Allen’s 1994 film of the same title. It displays a certain duality, at times feeling like a movie and at others feeling like a classic, flamboyant Broadway musical. Prior to the opening scene, the lead character Cheech (Jeff Brooks) enters stage-left and opens fire on a banner with his tommy-gun, writing the name of the show in fake bullet holes, a clever homage to the title sequences of the old noir, gangster crime films. Immediately after this, the orchestra begins to play, the dancers come out flying, and you are quickly transported from the cinema back to the world of stage. This duality continues back and forth throughout the production and serves as a subtle, clever nuance. By making this Broadway musical feel like a movie at times, the performance caters to fans of Woody Allen the filmmaker, moreover, a Hollywood crowd in general.

“Bullets Over Broadway” follows the story of struggling playwright David Shayne (Michael Williams) as he sells out to the commercial reality of the entertainment industry in an effort to achieve his dream of Broadway success by receiving financial backing from a notorious crime boss, Nick Valenti (Michael Corvino).

As Shayne’s play progressively takes shape, so too does the playwright himself grow. A play within a play is very difficult to pull off, but when it is done successfully the “fourth wall” is torn down in such a manner that the audience becomes truly immersed in the production. Shayne’s play drives the plot, but it is the characters that provide the depth.

Many of the characters represent a different cliché taken from the realms of theatre, film production, and 1920s crime. Yet despite being fairly transparent and simple on the surface, each of these characters stands as a symbolic representation of the many aspects of showbiz that a young, passionate, hopeful artist would encounter on his or her journey.

“Bullets Over Broadway” succeeds on several levels. The choreography is athletic, explosive, and sexy. The symbolism and themes woven into the plot and characters provide a complexity that leaves you contemplating your own actions on the stage of life. In other words, it both stimulates the mind and inspires the soul. The ability to achieve this artistically makes for a very invigorating night at the theatre.

For more information or to purchase tickets visit www.HollywoodPantages.com.

Struggling playwright David Shayne (Michael Williams) serenates his girlfriend Ellen (Hannah Rose DeFlumeri) on the rooftop of their New York apartment. – Courtesy Photo

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