On the 20th Century opens on Broadway
By: Roundabout Theatre Company Mar. 19, 2015
Our production of On the 20th Century opened on Sunday, March 15 to widespread critical acclaim.
Here's what the critics had to say:
THE NEW YORK TIMES
'On the Twentieth Century,' With Kristin Chenoweth, Opens on Broadway
By Ben Brantley
"In the theater, there is overacting, which is common and painful to watch. Then there's over?the?moon acting, which is rare and occupies its own special cloud land in heaven. I am delighted to report that this latter art is being practiced in altitudinous?high style at the American Airlines Theater, where Kristin Chenoweth and Peter Gallagher are surfing the stratosphere in "On the Twentieth Century."
VARIETY
'On the 20th Century' with Kristin Chenoweth, Peter Gallagher
By Marilyn Stasio
"Scott Ellis's dazzling production of "On the Twentieth Century" looks like one of those legendary Broadway musicals that exists largely in our collective memory of great shows we never saw. Like those phantom productions, this 1978 tuner comes with a fine pedigree (book & lyrics by Comden & Green, music by Cy Coleman), has been mounted in high style and is performed with manic energy by a super cast toplined by charismatic stars Kristen Chenoweth and Peter Gallagher. For a lot of us, this is the show of our dreams."
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Chenoweth Soars in Manic On the Twentieth Century
By Jennifer Farrar
"The effervescent revival of the 1978 musical comedy "On the Twentieth Century" that just steamed into the American Airlines Theatre marks a bewitching Broadway return for Tony? and Emmy Award?winner Kristen Chenoweth as 1930s Hollywood diva Lily Garland. The Roundabout Theatre production that opened Sunday night is a sizzling, sumptuous entertainment that pairs Chenoweth with a suavely roguish Peter Gallagher. Chenoweth is a petite powerhouse in the prima donna role of Lily, originated on Broadway by Madeline Kahn."
Kristin Chenoweth, Andy Karl and Peter Gallagher in On the 20th Century. Photo by Joan Marcus.
USA TODAY
'Century' a Grand Vehicle for Chenoweth
By Elysa Gardner
"When the Cy Coleman/Betty Comden/Adolph Green musical On the Twentieth Century opened on Broadway in February 1978, Kristin Chenoweth was not yet 10 years old. Yet you could easily mistake Roundabout Theatre Company's fizzy, fabulous new revival as a custom Chenoweth vehicle, tailor?made to accommodate her unique combination of talents. Chenoweth brings to Lily, along with those requisites, the girlish goofiness, feline sexuality and gleaming, chirping soprano that have made her one of her generation's most distinctive musical theater talents. At 46, Chenoweth lends both an ingenue's exuberance and a knowing wit to production numbers that require her to juggle virtual arias with hyperkinetic dance routines."
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY
On the Twentieth Century: EW review
By Jason Clark
"In a recent interview, Kristin Chenoweth revealed that a voice teacher told her 15 years ago she'd eventually play the frumpy accompanist?turned?glamorous A?lister Lily Garland in the madcap musical On the Twentieth Century. After witnessing Chenoweth's supreme triumph in Roundabout Theatre Company's ultimate chase?the?blues?away confection currently playing at the American Airlines Theatre, all one can say is God bless that voice teacher. The high?energy tale of a luxury train making a cross?country trip with a bevy of eccentric showbiz types, including former collaborators/lovers Lily Garland and Oscar Jaffee (Peter Gallagher), is a veritable dais for the abilities of Broadway's choicest clowns; it's hard to remember a recent production in which the cast was so uniquely suited to each and every role.
NEWSDAY
'On the Twentieth Century' review: Revival glitters
By Linda Winer
"Where has "On the Twentieth Century" been for the last 37 years? If, indeed, the 1978 musical?comedy has been saving itself for just the right mad screwball alchemy, then, all right, this was worth the wait. Ego, love and the lovingly egomaniacal theatricality of theater people are the subjects of the Roundabout Theatre Company's breathlessly charming revival of a show about which, I admit, I never before have felt the slightest bit bonkers. But the real subject of director Scott Ellis' production is expertise. From the virtuosic, wildly endearing Peter Gallagher as fading Broadway director Oscar Jaffe and the equally dazzling Kristin Chenoweth as movie queen Lily Garland through every supporting cast member, the show builds respect ?? showstopper by showstopper ?? for Cy Coleman's terrifically demanding operetta?and?jazz?inspired music and for some of the most clever lyrics ever written by that cleverness machine, Betty Comden and Adolph Green."
Company of On the 20th Century. Photo by Joan Marcus.
NEW YORK POST
'On the Twentieth Century to theatrical bliss'
By Frank Scheck
"They don't write dialogue like this anymore," a producer says, leafing through the Bible in "On the Twentieth Century." And they don't write musical comedies like this anymore, either. Gloriously revived by the Roundabout Theatre Company, this 1978 musical - now with sparkling turns by Kristin Chenoweth and Peter Gallagher - is a fast?paced romp. Set entirely on the 20th Century Limited train from Chicago to New York, the show - music by Cy Coleman, book and lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green - barrels down the tracks to theatrical bliss. Buy your tickets before the train leaves the station."
TIME OUT NEW YORK
On the Twentieth Century
By Adam Feldman
"On the Twentieth Century is set on a high?speed 1930s luxury train from Chicago to New York, and it's the vehicle Kristin Chenoweth has been waiting for all her life. La Cheno is one of the great Broadway stars of our time, but she has never had a role that cast so bright and sustained a light on her multifaceted talents, and the resulting shine is dazzling. All the powers stuffed into her tiny frame-the huge voice that rises from kazoo to coloratura soprano, the brash look?at?me confidence, the Carol Channing-esque precision clowning-are harnessed to propel the show forward. She's the little engine that could do anything."
Mary Louise Wilson, Drew King, Richard Riaz Yoder, Phillip Attmore & Rick Faugno. in On the 20th Century. Photo by Joan Marcus
NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
On the Twentieth Century review: Kristin Chenoweth the engine of a blissful Broadway revival
By Joe Dziemianowicz
"Next stop, Broadway musical bliss. That's where the Roundabout revival of "On the Twentieth Century, directed with verve by Scott Ellis, takes you. The setting for this fast?paced, flab?free screwball operetta by Cy Coleman, Betty Comden and Adolph Green is a luxury coach en route from Chicago to New York in the 1930s. The stylish state?of?the?art locomotive by David Rockwell gleams in brilliant Art Deco glory. But that's nothing compared to the practically nuclear glow that comes off Kristin Chenoweth, whose singular talent and skills are tailor?made for a role originated on Broadway in 1978 by Madeline Kahn."
BERGEN RECORD
Theater Review: On the Twentieth Century
By Robert Feldberg
"In "On the Twentieth Century," which opened Sunday at the Roundabout's American Airlines Theatre, a star is reborn. Kristin Chenoweth, who established her career on Broadway but hasn't had a real impact there since "Wicked" in 2002, returns in what's probably her most entertaining performance yet. Playing the impossibly self?centered '30s movie star Lily Garland, in the altogether delightful revival of the 1979 musical, she reminds us that, besides having a great soprano voice, she's the funniest leading lady around. Using her distinctive high?pitched speaking voice - little?girl mixed with brass - as a deadpan comic weapon, she cavorts buoyantly through the show, as nimble physically as she is verbally."
On the 20th Century plays at the American Airlines Theatre through July 5. For more information and tickets, please visit our website.
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