Four stars

Broadway Across America-Indianapolis series;
directed by Philip Wm. McKinley;
Clowes Hall; Dec. 11-16

I didn’t have high hopes about a Broadway musical based on a 1980s movie (and, get this, next up for this series: The Wedding Singer …). But I was wrong. The story translated amazingly well to the stage and lent itself, for the most part, to being injected with snappy songs. The show most definitely does not take itself seriously, often being self-aware and cheesy for cheese’s sake (“Love Is My Legs” was a riot). While Jamie Jackson as Lawrence achieves suave without mimicking Michael Caine, Doug Thompson is no Steve Martin, instead infusing Freddy with shades of Jack Black. Jenny Gulley as Christine Colgate, the soap queen, is sweet, and Jeff Essex as sideman Andre and Jen Jenkins as Jolene Oakes in their supporting roles often out-stage the leads. Everyone was amazingly clear — even being unfamiliar with the music, I caught every word. The show is a confectionary piece of entertainment, but exceptionally well-done.