“The Happy Time,” the second show in Signature Theatre’s Kander and Ebb Celebration, was first produced on Broadway in 1968. It’s a touching saga about the age-old struggle to reconcile a desire for hearth and home with a desire to be footloose and fancy-free.
The main character of “Happy Time” is Jacques (Michael Minarik), a man with a severe case of wanderlust, who has made his way around the globe as a photographer. He comes back to his small hometown, St. Pierre, Canada, to find a family full of problems: one of his brothers, Louis, is continually drunk; another brother is having trouble with his young son, Bibi (Jace Casey), who adores his Uncle Jacques. Everyone else blames Jacques for staying away so long, including his ex-girlfriend, Laurie.
Minarik is a charismatic presence as the dreamer who can’t settle down, and his powerful tenor electrifies the musical. Laurie is played by the talented Carrie Johnson, whose pure soprano is a delight throughout the show, particularly in the duet “Seeing Things.”
David Margulies is marvelous as the crusty old roué, Grandpère, head of the family and the voice of reason. As Bibi’s father and mother, George Dvorsky and Tracy Lynn Olivera, nicely detail the difficulties of parenting. The production is strengthened by a powerhouseensemble of nine singers and dancers.
Director Michael Unger smoothly integrates the many moods in this musical, from Jacques and Laurie’s silent kiss to the raucous showgirls throwing their garters into the audience. Todd Ivins’ set is a series of screens on which photos of the family’s home and Jacques’ travels are projected. Before the screens is the small stage, brilliantly utilized by choreographer Karma Camp.
“The Happy Time” deals with bittersweet truths about everything from living honestly to child-rearing, taking serious ideas and craftily disguising them with delicious music and comedy so they barely seem serious at all. Signature does an admirable job of re-creating the complexity of Kander and Ebb’s original, fashioning a charming commentary on memory, nostalgia and the eternal question of whether you can go home again.
‘The Happy Time’
Book by N. Richard Nash
Music by John Kander
Lyrics by Fred Ebb
Through June 1
» Nov. 15: Signature Theatre, 4200 Campbell Ave., Arlington
» Performances: 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays;
8 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays; 2 and 7 p.m. Sundays
» Tickets: $60 to $69
» More info: 703-820-9771, www.signaturetheatre.org
