"Anything Can Happen in the Theater: The Musical World of Maury Yeston" @ The York Theater - New York City Article

“Anything Can Happen in the Theater:
The Musical World of Maury Yeston”
Conceived and Directed by Gerard Alessandrini
The York Theatre Company                           
619 Lexington Ave, at E. 54th Street                           
Through December 29

The amazing thing about the songs of Maury Yeston is that, even more than those of most contemporary musical theater composers, is that although all of them were written for very specific scenes, stories, and characters, it is still nonetheless possible to “decontextualize” them, and place them in a revue of their own - and an extremely entertaining revue at that.  Of course, as anyone who has floated out of Nine humming “Guido’s Song,” “Unusual Way,” or “Call From the Vatican” doesn’t need to be told how strong and memorable Mr. Yeston’s melodies are - and the latter is especially memorable here, delivered by Mamie Parris in pink satin pajamas and high-heeled bedroom slippers.  The show was entertaining enough when it ran in an earlier production at the Triad Theater two years ago, but the new edition is even stronger, with highlights that include a mock anti-rock protest song (“I Don’t Want to Rock ‘n’ Roll”) done up in Hamilton drag -  which purports to attack 1950s rock cliches, but actually (and rather perversely) leaves you wanting to hear more 16th note triplets and doo-woppy harmonies, and a funny double entendre cooking song (“Salt n’ Pepper”).   When we hear our favorite songs from Nine, Titanic, or especially Grand Hotel, we can’t help but think of those shows, but that hardly defeats the purpose - they’re worth hearing even bereft of libretto. Mr. Yeston’s songs were written to enhance specific storylines, but the bulk of them refuse to follow any of the standard songwriting formulas.  The current production has an excellent cast and zingy new choreography by Gerry McIntyre.

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