‘In Transit’: Clichés derail a capella musical

‘IN TRANSIT’ (left to right): Nicholas Ward, David Abeles, Margo Seibert & Moya Angela. Photo: Joan Marcus

IN TRANSIT
Book, music & lyrics by Kristen Anderson-Lopez, James-Allen Ford, Russ Kaplan & Sara Wordsworth
Conceived with Gregory T. Christopher and Karla Lant
Directed & choreographed by Kathleen Marshall
Circle in the Square
235 West 50th Street
212-239-6202, www.InTransitBroadway.com

By David NouNou

In Transit has to be the most contrived musical of this year–or in many years. I can see where the creators came up with the idea that millions of people ride the subway every day; why not write an a cappella musical about it? It would be about New Yorkers seeing themselves riding the subways and how idyllically their lives get intertwined. Well, what they came up with was a germ of an idea–if I can even call it a germ at that–and riddled it full of clichés.

You have the actress who has been auditioning for 15 years and never got a part but works as a temp in an office. You have the gay couple who wants to get married but one of their mothers is a Texas religious zealot and he introduces his fiancée as a roommate. You have the West Coast girl who was a grad student and left it to come to New York to be with the boyfriend she just met, only to be dumped by him and now she’s running in marathons in order to forget him. You also have the Wall Street tycoon who lost his job, saved nothing and is in desperate need of funds. Also, there is the requisite nasty token-booth lady, the one empty subway car that reeks of stench due to a homeless man, and the ever-annoying delay announcements.

Now for most of us a subway ride is not a pleasant experience. What with crammed cars, pushing and shoving, people hogging two seats, constant delays, it’s an ordeal just to get from point A to point B, but we have to do it because we really don’t have much of a choice. However, the authors, in a delusional manner, figured that chance meetings, romances, altering one’s life can help you move forward with all the nice people you meet on a subway. What a crock.

What it has going for it are some wonderful voices by the entire cast. After all, they have to sing a cappella. Standouts include Moya Angela (who plays three different roles), Justin Guarini, Erin MacKay, Margo Seibert and James Snyder. Kathleen Marshall, the director/choreographer who can usually take dross and turn it into silk, in this case has kept it as dross. As if we haven’t been disappointed enough earlier this year–what a way to end the 2016 Broadway season on another sad note indeed.

Edited by Scott Harrah
Published December 14, 2016
Reviewed at press performance on December 13, 2016

‘IN TRANSIT’: The cast. Photo: Joan Marcus

‘IN TRANSIT’: Erin Mackey & company. Photo: Joan Marcus

‘IN TRANSIT’: Margo Seibert & James Snyder. Photo: Joan Marcus

‘IN TRANSIT’: Justin Guarini & Telly Leung. Photo: Joan Marcus