review: gentlemen prefer blondes

No doubt there have been sociological studies done to prove or disprove the theory that the male species is preferentially attracted to ladies whose hair is blonde. Just try a test on your male friends and ask them who played the two female leads in the original Broadway production and then the film. Depending on their ages they may come up with Carol Channing and will almost certainly say Marilyn Monroe from the film version. It will be interesting to see how many remember the brunette Yvonne Adair from Broadway or even the sultry buxom Jane Russell who starred opposite Marilyn in the film version. Yes ,there is something about a blonde dame!

Some say this show is sexist or politically incorrect. After all, how many women would ever set out to ensnare a wealthy man simply by using their physical attributes, and is it right to portray a blonde as dumb? Also, some may say it is old fashioned with its concentration on partying, drinking and all these gold diggers trying to dupe eligible and wealthy men. Come to think of it, that description may sound uncommonly like a typical summer weekend in the Hamptons.

Put these thoughts aside, settle back and enjoy Gateway Playhouse's production of this musical that without a doubt, is unashamedly and delightfully old fashioned, but has many very tuneful songs, some great tap dancing and no violence, mayhem, foul language or even any social message. It is simply good escapist entertainment that will send you out into the evening happy and whistling one of the catchy songs.

The music of Jules Styne and the lyrics of Leo Robin set the stage with the days of bright young things - flappers, prohibition and the idle pursuits of the rich. Set on the transatlantic liner, the Ile de France, the show follows the fortunes of two ex-Follies showgirls, Lorelei Lee (the blonde) and Dorothy Shaw (the brunette) as they sail away to Gay Paree (yes, the musical is also old fashioned enough to use that word in its original connotation in several songs). Lorelei serenades her latest beau Gus Edmond Jr., heir to a massive button manufacturing fortune, with the song "Bye Bye Baby" as the liner sets sail because Gus has to stay behind. The rest of the show follows the fluctuating trials and tribulations of Lorelei and Gus as their romance waxes and wanes. It also follows the machinations of Dorothy as she sets her cap at Henry Spofford (played by Duke Lafoon), a wealthy Philadelphian philanthropist.

Elizabeth Stanley as Lorelei Lee is blonde enough and certainly beautiful enough to make the title ring true. In a previous appearance at Gateway, she played that other great Marilyn role in Sugar and here again, she looks and sounds like a reincarnation. Sometimes you find yourself wishing that you could see her take the role as her own rather than her being a copy. Erin Crouch plays Dorothy Shaw, Lorelei's brunette friend and ex-Follies, extremely well and there is good synergy between the two. She also lights up the stage with her dancing. The tap sequences are a feature of the show and Ken Prescott in the dual roles of director and choreographer has brought together a very talented group of dancers who make the most of Agnes de Mille's original choreography. Paul Clausen as Gus Edmond Jr., Lorelei's target, and Kurt Robbins as Gage, the entrepreneurial zipper manufacturer, strive for both Lorelei and business success. Lorelei finally proves that blondes are not really that dumb when she succeeds in marrying Gus and forges a mutually profitable business partnership between Gus and Gage, ensuring her the continued supply of a girl's best friends - need you ask - diamonds, of course.

Elizabeth Stanley sings with husky sex appeal and she has great timing. She is very well partnered with Paul Clausen. Even though the male roles in this show are subservient to the female (art imitating reality again?), when they get their chances, they all showed extremely good singing voices and Duke Lafoon held the audience spell bound with a beautiful and lesser known romantic ballad, "Just a Kiss Apart."

The scenic designs by Michael H. Ward are excellent and colorful and Jose M. Rivera's costumes, especially those for the girls, are beautiful. The orchestra under Jeffrey Buschbaum has the nostalgic style of the 20s and the whole evening was fun and reconfirmed Gateway's tremendous strength in staging and revitalizing classic hit musicals.

- Roy Bradbrook

Gentlemen Prefer Blondes runs through August 25 at the Bellport Theater. Call (631) 286-1133 to purchase tickets.

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