George Abud and Laura Schein in Schein and Keith Harrison’s “Emojiland,” at the Duke on 42nd Street
through March 19.
➤ EMOJILAND, from p.26
with talent. (Smiley face! Thumbs
up!)
The book, music, and lyrics
are by Keith Harrison and Laura
Schein, and it tells the story of a
bunch of emojis installed on a
phone and what happens when
a software update brings in new
characters who threaten their supremacy.
The analogy to opposition
to immigration and fear of “the
other” is obvious, but the whole
thing is so wrapped in bubble gum
that any serious politics would get
stuck in the works. The music,
though, is catchy if bordering on
generic pop with gut-busting ballads,
kicky comedy songs, and an
uplifting ending. What the music
and lyrics may lack in originality,
they make up for in charm and inoffensive
easy listening.
It’s the cast, though, that makes
this all worthwhile. Lesli Margherita
is Princess, and she attacks the
role with ferocity and vocal chops
that make her venal character hilarious.
George Abud is Nerd Face,
the saga’s unlikely hero with a
powerful voice and as much character
as a 2-D picture can muster.
The wonderful Ann Harada is Pile
of Poo, who is always irresistible
even if her big second act number
lacks the real punch it deserves.
The best song in the piece, a ballad
called “A Thousand More Words,”
is sung by Felicia Boswell as Police
Officer and it, quite rightly, stops
the show.
By far the most consistently exciting
performance, though, is Lucas
Steele as Skull, a kind of rock
god who is the villain of the piece.
Steele, who was so extraordinary
in “The Great Comet,” owns the
PHOTO JEREMY DANIEL
stage whenever he appears, and
his amazing virtuosity is not to be
missed.
“Emojiland” is very much in the
tradition of Off-Broadway musicals
of the ‘80s. It’s neither sophisticated
nor particularly original, but it’s
certainly entertaining enough for a
fairly specific audience. You know
— the people who refuse to turn off
their phones during the show, of
which there were quite a few at the
performance I attended. The producers
have certainly spared no
expense, with sets by David Goldstein,
lights by Jamie Roderick,
and projections by Lisa Renkel and
Possible Productions. So whatever
else it is, “Emojiland” is dazzling,
and for that it merits a heart or two
and a high five.
MY NAME IS LUCY BARTON
|Manhattan Theatre Club at The
Samuel J. Friedman Theatre, 261
W. 47th St. | Through Feb. 29: Mon.-
Wed. at 7 p.m.; Thu.-Sat. at 8 p.m.;
Sat. at 2 p.m.; Wed. curtain varies |
$89-$189 at telecharge.com or 212-
239-6200 | Ninety mins, no intermission
THE WOMAN IN BLACK|
McKittrick Hotel, 530 W. 27th St. |
Jan. 25-26, Feb. 1 at 3 p.m.; Jan.
26 at 7 p.m.; Jan. 27, 29-31, Feb. 1
at 8 p.m. | $99.50 at tinyurl.com/
szo8esmor 212-904-1880 | Two
hrs., with intermission
EMOJILAND: THE MUSICAL|
The Duke on 42nd Street, 229 W.
42nd St. | Through Mar. 19: Tue.-
Sat. at 8 p.m.; Sat.-Sun. at 2 p.m.;
Sun. at 7 p.m. | $56-$196 at tickets.
dukeon42.org or 646-223-3010
| Two hrs., 10 mins., with intermission
“AN EPIC GAY LOVE STORY
SET IN GUATEMALA.”
-Salon
“A TOUCHING DEBUT...
SEXUALLY FRANK
IN AN HONEST,
FRESH FASHION.”
-Screen Daily
“RAW AND
AUTHENTIC.”
-Remezcla
A FILM BY LI CHENG
EXCLUSIVE ENGAGEMENT
STARTS FRIDAY, JANUARY 31
QUAD CINEMA
34 WEST 13TH ST.
info@quadcinema.com
OPENING WEEKEND Q&As with Director LI CHENG
Visit QuadCinema.com for details and tickets.
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THAN EVER
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GayCityNews.com | January 30 - February 12, 2020 27
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link
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