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By: Stuart Duncan, TIMEOFF

04/25/2007

Off-Broadstreet says hello to 'The Goodbye Girl.'

   If the title The Goodbye Girl sounds familiar, it is likely that you remember the 1977 movie, written by Neil Simon and starring Richard Dreyfuss and Marsha Mason. The title song became a pop hit; Dreyfuss won an Oscar for his performance; and Simon was nominated for Best Screenplay.
   The show eventually was adapted for the stage (in late December of 1992) and although it ran a while, it lost its entire investment. Once again Broadway tried to throw money at a show to ensure its success — and once again it failed. The Broadway company had more than 20 performers and an orchestra of 37.
   Now the musical is being produced by Bob and Julie Thick at Hopewell's Off-Broadstreet Theatre and, with their usual touch, the pair has cut down the excesses to find the real show. They know that Neil Simon needs witty and clever, not big. This cast numbers eight and the band has four in it. And this time, it works!
   The title gives you a strong hint as to what the plot is about. Paula is the kind of girl that men find it easy to say so long to. In fact, as the show opens, it has just happened again, but she doesn't know it. She begins to get the message when Elliott shows up at 3 in the morning, with a newly signed sub-lease in his hand. It's from the guy who has just dumped Paula.
   Paula has a young daughter, age 12, so she, Elliott and the daughter, Lucy, have to work it all out, and put the intricate pieces of living together. Paula tries to set down the house rules (in song, naturally). But Elliott has his lease and some fine dialogue by Simon: "I sleep in the nude, el buffo, winter and summer, rain or snow. With the windows open. And because I might have to go potty or to the fridge in the middle of the night, and I don't want to put my jammies on — that I don't own in the first place — unless you're looking for a cheap thrill or your daughter an advanced education, I suggest you keep your door closed. How's that grab you?"
   The evening is really in the hands of these three: Patrick Andrae, one of the hardest-working local actors, has the role of a lifetime as Elliott and has come up with the performance of a lifetime. Alexandria Nudo, as Lucy, shows the promise of a future star, while avoiding the cuteness that could destroy the role. Gabrielle Visser Trumbull plays Paula, and on opening night seemed to be still searching as to where exactly to put the character. That worked since Paula doesn't really know herself. But by the time you read this, she will have smoothed out the rough edges so that you will find her endearing (which is what Simon wanted).
   From the keyboard, Christopher Madison leads Andrew Kosek (on bass), Dennis Quinn (on drums) and Jack Furlong (on reeds) in Marvin Hamlisch's tricky score. Meanwhile, Alison Quarioli, Geoffrey Barber, Yolanda, Tom Orr and Cara Mitchell play assorted roles that manage to cross Paula and Elliott's lives without scarring them too much.
   The Goodbye Girl is certain to be another huge sellout at Off-Broadstreet — order tickets early.

The Goodbye Girl continues at Off-Broadstreet Theatre, 5 S. Greenwood Ave., Hopewell through June 2. Performances: Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun., 2:30 p.m. Dessert served one hour before show time. (609) 466-2766.