It may be the worst double-whammy this man can think of – in a gym and on a diet – but those two so-depressing topics are front and center in "Food Fight," a mostly bright entertainment now at the Playhouse at West Port, where it will run through May 24.
Parodies to some of the Great American Musical Theater Songbook – "Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend," "Don’t Rain on My Parade," "Look at Me, I’m Sandra Dee," "New York, New York" – by Alan Jacobson are often quite clever, and when the cast of Annie Cook, Tafee Patterson, Missy McArdle and Amanda Shae Wilborn sticks to them, the harmony is good and the entertainment level high.
It’s when they switch to dialogue, about supporting one another, and sticking to their diets, and finding the right man, that the action comes to a dead stop.
The women are bright and sing satisfactorily, with solos for each. They don’t really dance, but they move well, almost like advanced cheerleaders, and Vic Glazer’s keyboard work keeps everything at a good pace. "Food Fight," aimed at women on a group night out, and mostly on target. At the Playhouse at West Port through May 24.
-Joe