This bubbling 1920s-era musical sparkles with extravagant dance numbers, glittering costumes and a delicious love story between a wealthy playboy and the feisty bootlegger who melts his heart. Based upon a book by Tony Award winner Joe DiPietro (Memphis), inspired by material from P.G. Wodehouse and Guy Bolton, Nice Work If You Can Get It is set during Prohibition times in America.
The plot revolves around stashing 400 illegal cases of gin. It’s a madcap tale that combines laughter, romance and Broadway magic. The specific time is July 1927 and the location a 47-room mansion in Long Island, New York. Nice Work features a treasure trove of George and Ira Gershwin’s most beloved, instantly recognisable tunes including Let’s Call the Whole Thing Off, Someone to Watch Over Me, ‘S Wonderful and Fascinating Rhythm. So, you have girls, gangsters, glamour and Gershwin. What more could you ask for a beaut night out?
The show opened on Broadway on 24th April 2012 and closed on 15th June the following year. It was nominated for nine Tony Awards and collected two. A US national tour started on 2nd September 2014 and ran until 22nd March this year. This Melbourne production is apparently the first outside America.
Rohan Browne (Singin’ in the Rain, Strictly Ballroom) plays Jimmy Winter, a wealthy and handsome playboy. Esther Hannaford (King Kong, Hairspray) is Billie Bendix, a spirited and beautiful young woman dealing in illegal booze with the law fast closing in. Christie Whelan Browne (Singin’ in the Rain, Rocky Horror Show) fills the role of Jimmy’s fiancé Eileen Evergreen, the self-proclaimed finest interpreter of modern dance in the world. What a hoot! Gina Riley (Kath & Kim, Chicago) plays Duchess Estonia Dulworth, a noted prohibitionist who succumbs to the bottle and falls in love with a racketeer. Nicki Wendt (GYPSY, Mother & Son) is Jimmy’s mother Millicent, a wealthy and flamboyant matron. George Kapiniaris (Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Wogs Out Of Work) is cast as Cookie McGee, a fast-talking, wise-cracking bootlegger. John Wood (Blue Heelers, How to Succeed…) plays Senator Max Evergreen, a humourless career politician who is forced to confront some rather shocking home truths. Tony Farrell (Rocky Horror Show) is Chief Berry, head of the Long Island Police Department and fiercely dedicated to his job. To complete the principal cast Monica Swayne (Wicked) is Jeannie, a happy go lucky chorus girl who wants to marry rich and Jensen Overend (Chitty Chitty Bang Bang) is Duke, Cookie’s not-so-bright sidekick.
In all, there are 22 performers.
Nice Work If You Can Get It is directed by Helpmann Award winner Roger Hodgman (Show Boat, Grey Gardens). Musical direction is from John Foreman (The Boy From Oz, Singin’ in the Rain), who conducts Orchestra Victoria and choreography by Dana Jolly (Show Boat, Grey Gardens). The set is a feature with the full orchestra angled above and across the stage in triangular fashion – a delightful and dramatic touch that works a treat.
Nice Work If You Can Get It makes for a joyous night out, a real spirit lifter if ever there was one. Many of the performances are flawless or as close to flawless as one could achieve. Esther Hannaford not only sings magnificently, but sashays across stage with fluidity and style. Rohan Browne is a commanding and constant presence, around whom events unfold. Christie Whelan Browne is hilarious in her deliberately awkward representation of Jimmy’s about to be fourth wife. Who would have guessed that Gina Riley could produce such vocal highlights? George Kapiniaris is a scene-stealer as a tough talking, say it like it is butler. And I could readily go on, such was the virtuosity in a triumphant night of theatrical entertainment.
Before this show is over, we are witness to a totally farcical, slapstick ending that leaves everyone a winner, both on stage and off. Some may suggest the narrative pushed happenstance too far by a peg or several, but they are clearly just party poopers.
The Production Company’s Nice Work If You Can Get It is playing at the State Theatre at the Victorian Arts Centre until 23rd August and scores a 9 out of 10.
Alex First
David Edwards is the editor of The Blurb and a contributor on film and television