War Paint

War Paint's Chicago premiere has many things going for it: Two great stars, a score that plays to their strengths, and interesting source material. Reviews have been mostly positive. Unfortunately the current book lacks conflict.

Librettist Doug Wright has several challenges. The real Elizabeth Arden and Helena Rubenstein refused to meet with each other. Wright has to give his leads equal stage time while keeping them apart. In this he succeeds. Without a co-star to play off of the leads steamroll the supporting cast. The founders of Revlon get two juicy scenes but vanish before they can develop into true antagonists. Wright will need to beef up the feckless love interests or scheming shop girls so that Patti and Ebersole have someone to play off of.

The Chicago production has been extended through August 21. A Broadway transfer has yet to be confirmed but is certainly in the cards.

Grey Gardens

The Fantasticks, Into the Woods and Sunday in the Park with George are just a few musicals to make drastic changes in tone or setting between acts. It's a risky gamble that often invites audiences and critics to pick a side. When Grey Gardens transfered to Broadway in 2006 the critics hated act the original 1940's farce Act One. However they loved the second act which was based on the 1970's documentary, and bowed down to worship the star at the center: Christine Ebersole.

Watching this performance is the best argument I can think of for the survival of the American musical. ~ Ben Brantley, New York Times

When the show was revived in Sag Harbor in 2015 the praise went from a starring role to a supporting role played by Betty Buckley. They were still ambivalent about the show itself.

This summer Chicago's Goodman Theatre will premiere War Paint, a new musical by the same creative team. Once again the plot will focus on a feud between two real world figures (Helena Rubinstein and Elizabeth Arden) and once again there will be great star power (Christine Ebersole and Patti Lupone). Time will tell whether the book and score win as much praise as the featured divas.