The Kid from Brooklyn: The Danny Kaye Musical

Description
Danny Kaye is a somewhat-lost American treasure, a triple threat who rode the star system from the Catskills to big-screen fame. Though a tall order, reproducing his patented shtick's form, as The Kid does meticulously, isn't impossible—but doing the same for Kaye's unique charisma proves more elusive. Brian Childers is technically dazzling and even looks the part, but there's something a little cold about his impersonation, echoed in the bellicose edge he imparts to Kaye's more calisthenic performances. There's nothing lacking in the way of skills or polish, but somewhere amid the song-and-dance muscularity of script and cast, Kaye's winningness gets lost.—Brian Nemtusak