THEATRE REVIEW: "Sweet Smell of Success" at the Shubert Theatre (Chicago, IL)

      It was either in December of 2001, or January of 2002, that my mom, dad, sister, and I went to see a performance of the Marvin Hamlisch / Craig Carnelia / John Guare musical "Sweet Smell of Success" at the Shubert Theatre (now called the CIBC Theatre) in Chicago, IL.  This production was a pre-Broadway engagement, as well as a World Premiere production.  I didn't know that at the time.  Or, if I did know, I didn't care.  When I told this to Kathryn the next day at high school, she said "ugh! You didn't know that?  I can't be seen with you."  OK, she never said that.

     The cast included John Lithgow, Brian d'Arcy James, Stacey Logan, Jack Noseworthy, Kelli O'Hara, Timothy J. Alex, and David Brummel.  Well, at least these cast members were in the Original Broadway Production.  They most likely transferred to Broadway from the production in Chicago.  I know for sure that John Lithgow, Brian d'Arcy James, and Kelli O'Hara were in this production.  Bob Crowley was the scenic designer, with lighting design by Natasha Katz.  

     This seems to be my catchphrase on this blog, but I don't remember too much from this show.  I remember the first song had to do with starting a rumor.  I also remember that one of the songs that John Lithgow sang had to do with someone named Susan.  After the show, I was singing the "Susan Song" on the car ride back home.  There was also the "You're blind, Mr. Magoo." line that the audience seemed to be waiting for.  I'm sure the line got an applause, but I cannot remember.  Anyway, when the show transferred to Broadway, it began the first of 18 previews on February 23rd, 2002 and officially opened on March 14th.  The production only ran until June 15th, 2002.  This was the first pre-Broadway engagement I saw that ended up being a flop.  

     Back when we saw this show, I only knew John Lithgow from the tv show "3rd Rock from the Sun."  Earlier in 2001, Grannie and I had seen Joseph Gordon-Levitt (another "3rd Rock from the Sun" cast member) in an Off-Broadway play.  Around this time, my mom saw Kristen Johnston (yet another "3rd Rock" cast member) in a show in Central Park.  Or at least, she almost did.  I guess it started to rain, and Kristen Johnston either improvised or flipped until someone at the venue announced there would be a rain delay.  Unrelated to this, an article I read about "Sweet Smell of Success" said the scenic design was "staged with furious drive."  I don't remember it that way, but then again, I saw the show about twenty years ago.  I've never listened to the Original Cast Recording of "Sweet Smell of Success," but it is available for listening by clicking Here.