42ND STREET (MUSICAL THEATRE WEST): 92% – SWEET

Musical Theatre West’s production of “42nd Street” at the Carpenter Center. Credit: Company.

SWEET
Audiences craving unbridled pizazz should race to “42nd Street” at the Carpenter Center in Long Beach. Musical Theatre West opens its 60th season with the indestructible backstager, and scores a toe-tapping triumph.
David C. Nichols – LA Times

BITTER
The show’s nostalgia and old-fashioned nature serve as a double-edged sword. It can be cutting if vividly realized, giving the show a fresh and dynamic bent, or it can be plodding and dull when it only goes through the motions seen in previous productions. This show falls under the latter category, but could have risen above it if only the acting and storytelling were as sharp as the singing and dancing is.
Jesse David Corti – Stage and Cinema

SWEET
And with Jon Engstrom’s super direction and choreography and this cast’s nonstop excellent tapping, cavorting, and devilishly fine chemistry, this production of 42nd Street dazzles from top to bottom.
Don Grigware – BroadwayWorld

SWEET
Jon Engstrom’s direction and choreography and Michael Borth’s attentive musical direction help propel Musical Theatre West’s revival, which benefits from a large-scale handling of the material; crackerjack song-and-dance scenes from leads, principals, and ensemble; and the use of eye-catching costumes provided by the Theatre Company (Upland, Calif.) and sets and props courtesy of Reagle Music Theatre of Greater Boston.
Eric Marchese – Backstage

SWEET
With a proven crowd-pleaser like this Hollywood/Broadway classic and a cast as wow-worthy as they come, audiences are guaranteed a tip-top, no make that a tap-top time at Long Beach’s Carpenter Center from now through November 11.
Steven Stanley – StageSceneLA

SWEET
With more than a little nod to Busby Berkeley, director-choreographer Jon Engstrom channels those extravagant floor patterns and over-the-top production numbers to give an audience a lot to smile at.
Melinda Schupmann – ArtsInLA

SWEET
We’ve experienced this classic at least six different times over the years, and we’re here to tell you that MTW’s production of “42nd Street” will knock your socks off!
Shirle Gottlieb – Gazettes

SWEET
Now, the rarely produced “42nd Street” is being mounted by Long Beach’s Musical Theatre West, and with Jon Engstrom’s inventive direction and choreography, along with Michael Borth’s meticulous musical direction, “42nd Street” marries bustle and beat; the result is irresistible.
Ben Miles – Long Beach Comber

SWEET
Musical Theatre West hit it out of the park with 42nd Street, and it was a pleasurable 2 ½ hours for me and my wife.
Rex Bass – Rex and the Bass

SWEET
For a good time, go on down to Musical Theatre West for a winning production of 42nd Street until November 11th.
Robert Machray – Stagehappenings

SWEET
Although Musical Theatre West is a nonprofit, Jon Engstrom’s delirious revival of the 1980 musical has a polished precision on the level that you would hope for in a commercial Broadway revival.
Don Shirley – LA Stage Times

SWEET
The real draw of the show, besides its nostalgia-baiting score and its talented, fleet-footed cast is, of course, all that wonderful, spirited dancing.
Michael L. Quintos – BroadwayWorld

42ND STREET
Musical Theatre West
At the Carpenter Performing Arts Center
6200 E. Atherton St., Long Beach
Schedule varies; Ends Nov. 11, 2012
Tickets: $20-$97. (562) 856-1999
Running time: 2 hours, 30 minutes