There aren’t a lot of musicals these days that get lost in swirls of memory and fond nostalgia for the sweeter simplicity of yesteryear. The witty, the wry, the sober, the dry irony of the here and now takes precedence in contemporary musical theater form, in favor of truth seekers and those who threw away their rose-colored glasses years ago.
But imagine, if you will, that you could dig up and capture the innocence and joy in discovery that comes along with adolescence, even if for a few brief moments — that’s the spirit of “Summer of ’42,” a new musical based on Herman Raucher’s autobiographical novel and 1971 screenplay.
Hunter Foster revised Raucher’s brow-raising story and set it amid music and lyrics from David Kirshenbaum. The result is a classic coming-of-age story seen through the lens of a 15-year-old boy and his friends, set against the melancholy backdrop of World War II.
» The Highlights
Loaded with charm and pleasant humor, “Summer of ’42” follows Hermie, Oscy and Benjie for the summer of their lives on a small island just off the New England coast. Musical numbers swing by as Hermie nurses his pubescent crush on the mysterious older neighbor whose husband has just left for the war, and the boys learn how to woo chicks at “The Movies” while Mr. Sanders (Christopher Bloch, in fine comedic form) explains the use of contraceptives in “The Drugstore.”
Three splashy dames (à la the Andrews Sisters) drop by with cheeky commentary on James Kronzer’s fabulous beachfront set, and Ilona Kessell choreographs lovely fantasy sequences to match such a tender story.
» The Lowlights
Meredith McDonough’s direction leaves the apex of Raucher’s story more than a little underwhelming, considering the air of controversy stirred up by the film version. When Hermie finally experiences that mythic passage to adulthood, it’s a larger-than-life moment that should be framed with cinematic splendor. Instead, McDonough’s brief interlude seems plastic and sterilized, and the result is, ahem, anticlimactic.
» The Cast
Ryan Nealy’s Hermie is a likable teenager smitten by Nancy Snow’s Dorothy, even if he and his buds appear old enough to secure a kegger for their clambake. Snow is a real beauty, and her Dorothy takes on an entirely different characterization when Snow switches from her light soprano to the warm notes in her lower register. As a result, her gentle Dorothy evolves from frothy caricature to lonely, pining wife in a matter of mere bars.
» The Designers
Christopher Youstra conducts a rousing offstage orchestra complemented by Matthew M. Nielson’s pitch-perfect sound design, while onstage, Rosemary Pardee’s fresh costumes take front and center. Her colorful concoctions for the trio of ladies who pop in and out of the proceedings are a real treat underneath endless pastel lighting schemes by Daniel MacLean Wagner.
» Munch on This
It’s easy to get lost in a New England summer filled with sunny days at the beach and carefree jaunts to the ice cream parlor. Round House Theatre’s “Summer of ’42” is a happy reminder of youthful discovery and an endearing shot of nostalgia that wins your heart.
‘Summer of ’42’
Director: Meredith McDonough
Music by by David Kirshenbaum
Through Sunday
» Venue: Round House Theatre
4545 East-West Highway, Bethesda
» Tickets: $25 to $55
» Performances: 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
» Info: 240-644-1100, www.roundhousetheatre.org
