CLO’s ‘Up and Away’ flies into new superhero territory
The nightly offering over at CLO Cabaret through Tax Day is a Super Saver special — as in, superheroes who dance and sing and save the day.
The world premiere musical “Up and Away” tells the story of the world’s first superhero and what it means for farm-to-city brothers when one of them discovers his powers.
If you are looking for a hero, choosing between John Wascavage and Michael Greer as Jerry and Joe Jessup is a good start.
Mr. Wascavage is super, singing his way from Farmtown to Big City, USA. Mr. Greer employs his dancer’s agility to simulate flying in unique ways. In fact, each time our hero takes flight, it is accomplished in a different way — including one particularly clever use of a sheet that earns the biggest-applause of the night.
The songs by Kevin Hammonds (book and lyrics) and Pittsburgh native Kristin Bair (music) have a familiar quality,
within the rules of catchy and clever as established by the likes of Robert Lopez or Alan Menken. The lyrics use superhero terminology — “dynamic duo” and such — among the reminders of the show’s inspirations.
Jerry is the kind of smart guy who is such a backwater nerd that he sings about not trusting people who wear cologne and, when trying to comfort a friend, offers, “At least you don’t have scurvy.” Joe is not what you’d call a deep thinker — he’s an overly oblivious hick who takes his newfound power and runs with it from Farmville to supervillain-infested Big City. In short order, he blindly steps over the girl of his dreams, intrepid would-be news reader Suzy Dare (Erika Strasburg), to get a prime radio job, even while fighting the city’s bad guys.
The brothers’ love and support for each other suffers a breakdown in Big City, and therein lies the most that should be said about the spoiler-heavy show. There are aliens involved, plus a seeming shoutout to Stephen Kingand …
The clever DIY moments, the kind of ingenuity used in “Peter and the Starcatcher,” become an inside joke for anyone who has ever seen or read a superhero story — for example, the household fabrics that can be used as capes.
But it is the cast of five that really rises above the sometimes too-cute material. Quinn Patrick Shannon, possessor of one of Pittsburgh’s best musical theater voices, gets to show off his impeccable comic timing as well, playing multiple roles, from scoundrel to a Tony Starkstyle millionaire inventor. His partner in crime is versatile Christine Laitta, who is a hoot as everything from longsuffering Mother Jessup to a villain’s fur-wearing moll.
Ms. Strasburg’s Suzy and her honey of a voice are out to one-up Lois Lane, determined to become both a star reporter and win the man of her dreams.
It is the brothers, though, who are the focal point of “Up and Away.”
Mr. Greer, so good in shows such as City Theatre’s “Hand to God” and CLO Cabaret’s “Altar Boyz,” among many other Pittsburgh CLO productions, has perhaps the hardest role, as a dimwitted farm boy navigating urban waters. Both brothers lead with their hearts, but Mr. Wascavage’s Jerry, although in the same fish-out-of-water boat, has more of a handle on what is important when it comes to superpowers and love.
As much as “Up and Away” incorporates the tropes of superhero comics, with nods to Superman creators Joe Shuster and Jerry Siegel in the brothers’ names, it veers well onto its own course, with unexpected twists and turns and a wildly unexpected ending.
The new show, at under two hours with an intermission, is entertaining enough for the kids and a treat for geeks who can pick out references from the Marvel and DC worlds.
Not all heroes wear capes
Pittsburgh CLO is inviting nominations of the hero in your life. Submit a brief description of someone’s heroic characteristics along with a photo that exemplifies his or her superhuman story by March 9, and one grand-prize winner will receive a Hero’s Night on the Town: two tickets to “Up and Away,” a $200 gift card to enjoy dinner at The Capital Grille Downtown and an overnight stay at the SpringHill Suites by Marriott Pittsburgh North Shore. Submit your story and photo via email to ajones@pittsburghCLO.org. Fans can vote for finalists, who will be posted on the Pittsburgh CLO Facebook page.