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Chaplin the Musical

How would you depict the life of a great screen legend in a 2-hour musical? Not easy when it is the life of Charlie Chaplin who died at the age of 88 in 1977. 

I am fortunate to have seen the preview of Chaplin The Musical on Broadway at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre. Chaplin has a controversial life but in the hands of Christopher Curtis and Warren Carlyle, his life is piece together with creative simplicity that people of all ages are able to enjoy the show.

Costumes and sets are all set in hues of gray, giving the entire show an implication of the early days in entertainment. The show dazzled its audience by having the actor coming in and out of character from the screen projector to the stage. I particularly like the scene when it shows the women in Chaplin's life - how each and every marriage ended with them, and what they got from the divorce settlement in a boxing ring arena. Chaplin got punched and kicked, and every wife parted with some of his fortunes. Toward the end of the show, Charlie Chaplin looked ahead of the horizon showing on the screen. As he walked toward the screen, his character slowly 'disappeared' into the screen as if the audience is usher back to the cinematic past of the show.

The Chinese may be catching up in almost every aspects in the current world situation but the American is miles away when it comes to the entertainment industry. It would be interesting to see a musical depicting the life of Confucius by the Chinese. I don't think the Chinese is capable of doing that yet although the Olympics 2008 did gives the American a peek of what it's to come in the not too distance future. Today, the sun still shines brightly in the land of The Golden State.

Gone are the days when music and songs rule the world on Broadway. I recall how audience were mesmerized by the historical events from Les Miserables, awed by the shattering chandelier in Phantom of the Opera, and captivated by the love triangle in Miss Saigon. These  broadway classics have such memorable moments from songs such as "'I Dreamed A Dream" to "Music Of The Night" and "I'd Give My Life To You". Till today, I can still hum these tunes as if I had just watched them. In comparison, Chaplin looks like a play with music and song playing the supporting role at best. I can't remember any of its song the moment the curtain draws to a close to a standing ovation from the audience. 

In my opinion, Chaplin the Musical does not rise to the occasion to reveal its full potential.