Review - Honeymoon in Vegas: Hooray for Hollywood and Vegas.

By Douglas Kennedy.

Honeymoon in Vegas

The New Broadway Musical Based on the Dreamworks Motion Picture.

Book by Andrew Bergman and music and lyrics by Jason Robert Brown.

Gold Coast Little Theatre.

 Directed by Tony Campbell.

Music director Julie Whiting.

Choreographers Natalie Cassaniti and Andrew King. 

Bookings www.gclt.com.au Tel: 0755322096. Season ends December 7.  

Photos: TTL Photography (Shane Caddaye)

The phrase bigger than Ben Hur was coined in Hollywood, where the Gold Coast Little Theatre’s big splash finale for 2024 had its beginnings.

However, Honeymoon in Vegas owes as much to Broadway where this larger-than-life garish screwball comedy was redefined and nurtured. The result is one of the largest productions ever seen on the GCLT stage with an 18-strong cast, a 12-piece orchestra and a team of back stage contributors almost worthy of a stadium show.

And last weekend’s jam-packed opening night audience lapped up the overall result as the largely youthful cast gave 110 per cent.

The 1992 romantic comedy film – which starred James Caan, Nicholas Cage and Sarah Jessica Parker – gained favourable reviews and featured a swag of Elvis hits performed by contemporary stars such as Billy Joel, Willie Nelson and Bono.

In contrast the 2015 Broadway refit featured original music and lyrics by award winning composer Jason Robert Brown (Parade and the Bridges of Madison County).

The basic simple premise of the story is boy meets girl, loses her to a cheating gangster over a gambling debt and fights to win her back.

The action takes place in New York, Vegas and Hawaii and act two holds a delightful surprise for those who don’t know the film, which this reviewer is loath to reveal.

Suffice to say popular community stalwart George Pulley and his off-the wall team of flamboyant performers come close to stealing the show.

This production of Honeymoon in Vegas, however, has much more to offer as the cast sing and dance their way to a triumphant curtain call.

As the show opens, we learn that New Yorker Jack Singer (Brody Seignior) has been keeping his sweetheart Betsy Nolen (Ruby Hunter) at bay for five years thanks to a promise he made to his now dead mom Bea (Nicole Rozen).

In one of the show’s funniest scenes, featuring mom in ghostly form, we learn that Jack once promised her he’d never marry.

However, his heart belongs to Betsy, who after five years of being engaged, is growing inpatient so Jack finally bites the bullet and whisks her off to Vegas to tie the knot.

There grieving gangster Tommy Korman (Andy MacFarlane), whose beloved wife Donna has recently died, catches a glimpse of Betsy, who has more than a passing resemblance to Donna, and is smitten.

The devious fellow hatches a plan to fleece Jack as a pathway to winning a weekend away with Betsy and stealing her heart.

The three main players were in fine voice on opening night and MacFarlane was particularly strong as the cool, sophisticated Tommy.

His song and dance routine with henchman Johnny Sandwich (Leigh Harrison) was a particular crowd pleaser as were a host of other supporters including dance specialist Greyson Vaughan in the role of Buddy Rocky.

Director Tony Campbell, and his support team, does well with this troupe of established and emerging talent and it’s a sure fire bet that Honeymoon in Vegas will be one of the biggest hits of the year.

In closing we must give a special mention to the music director, Julie Whiting, and her terrific band who hold the whole show together.

Honeymoon in Vegas is a delightful escape from the woes of the world and worthy of a couple of hours of our time.