Last fall, Ford’s Theatre revived the 1946 Pulitzer Prize-winning play “State of the Union” that provided the basis for a movie version directed by one of Hollywood’s greatest filmmakers, Frank Capra. Now, Ford’s is presenting the premiere of a smashing musical adaptation of Capra’s most ambitious and controversial film, his 1941 Christ allegory, “Meet John Doe,” which starred Gary Cooper and Barbara Stanwyck.
Based on the screenplay by Capra’s most frequent collaborator, Robert Riskin (which, in turn, was inspired by a short story by Richard Connell), and set in Depression-era New York, “Meet John Doe” begins when reporter Ann Mitchell (Heidi Blickenstaff, in the Stanwyck role) is fired because the newspaper she works for has been bought out by media mogul D.B. Norton (Patrick Ryan Sullivan). As a parting shot, Ann fabricates a letter from an unemployed man who promises to commit suicide on Christmas Eve to protest current conditions.
When the public buys her ruse hook, line and sinker, Ann talks editor Connell (Guy Paul) into taking her back and hiring someone to impersonate the fictional “John Doe.” The perfect candidate turns out to be John Willoughby (James Moye, in the Cooper role), a former baseball player in need of an operation on his pitching arm. Willoughby becomes a nationwide sensation but has a crisis of conscience when he discovers Norton is planning to exploit this popularity for his political ambitions.
The score by newcomers Andrew Gerle (music) and Eddie Sugarman (lyrics), who also wrote the book, is wonderfully catchy and, for the most part, faithful to the period. (The one exception is Willoughby’s solo “Perfect Days,” which sounds far too contemporary.) Most of the dialogue is taken verbatim from Riskin’s script, which makes it all the more infuriating that he is not given proper credit in the program.
Eric Schaeffer’s inventive and visually impressive direction keeps the show moving at a fast clip. All of the actors do fine work, especially Blickenstaff, who possesses a gorgeous singing voice and commanding stage presence. Kudos also to Derek McLane’s set and Karma Camp’s musical staging.
Hopefully, Ford’s production of “Meet John Doe” will do well enough for the show to move on to New York, because this is one of the best new musicals in years and definitely deserves a wider audience.
‘Meet John Doe’
Through April 29
Venue: Ford’s Theatre, 511 10th St. NW, Washington
Performances: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday; 2:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; noon Thursday
Tickets: $25 to $52
More info: 202-347-4833, www.fordstheatre.org
