Four ditsy women complain about not finding Mr. Right in “Chick Flick the Musical,” the shrill show with book, music and lyrics By Suzy Conn. No wonder. Any sensible guy would run miles from these gals who gather to sing, dance and emote about their experiences while knocking down vodka and wine and looking for chick flick movies to watch, although their attention spans can’t see a film all the way through. The actresses are clearly talented as performers and singers—it’s the characters they play who are a hopeless lot.
What makes the foursome look ridiculous is that while they behave like teenagers at a sleepover they are really mature women in terms of age. Carla Duren, for example, plays Meg, who already is a mom with a teenage daughter who gives her problems. Meg works in publishing with hopes of becoming a writer. Megan Sikora as Dawn has spent a good amount of time auditioning for roles as an actress, but without success.
The other two in the entourage are Lindsay Nicole Chambers as redhead Sheila, especially a dunderhead, who having just met a guy is already envisioning marriage and is devastated when he abruptly tells her on the phone that she’s too crazy for him. How right he is. Sharon Catherine Brown as Karen is the most sympathetic of the lot, who thinks she may be pregnant (a test shows she isn’t) and longs for the day when she could be a mother under proper circumstances. Brown also has an exceptionally good voice.
There is plenty of singing and movement under the hectic direction of David Ruttura, with choreography by Sarah O’Gleby. Furniture is shoved about by the cast through side panels that open from stage walls entirely saturated with various chick flick posters (scenic design by Jason Sherwood).
Perhaps the dialogue and songs and the intimate get-together for a chick night of booze and gab speak to an audience ready to swallow the brainless banter defining the lives of these exuberant losers. Good luck.
The best moment for me was when the wall suddenly opened at the end to reveal the band musicians, who spoke via their instruments and pounded away at the so-so score, but not having to engage in any of Suzy Conn’s chatter. At the Westside Theatre, 407 West 43rd Street. Reviewed March 8, 2019.