Ariana DeBose Nails "Meadowlark!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

                                     I have now answered the question everyone wants to know.

                                    "Meadowlark" is the breakout song midway through Act One of the musical "The Baker's Wife."  When it begins, the theater is eerily silent, and throughout the song one can hear a pin drop.  That is, until DeBose hits that final note, stopping the show, and making the decision that tilts the plot on its head.

                                       Patti LuPone may be pissed--she originated this role and song in a 1976 tryout of the musical, with Paul Sorvino, that never made it to Broadway.  Next to Patti, I like Lindsay Mendez' warm take on the song.  Now Ariana DeBose joins the pantheon of those covering "Meadowlark."

                                          Now, "The Baker's Wife" is based on a 1938 French film "La Femme Du Boulanger," and set in a provincial pre-war French village; the story concerns a baker (Scott Bakula in what at times is a heartbreaking performance) his wife, (DeBose) and some village characters played by some formidable performers--Denise, (Judy Kuhn, wonderful throughout, and who has also covered "Meadowlark."  How I wish she were on hand to cover Lea Michele in "CHESS.") and Sally Murphy as Hortense.  The ensemble is tightly knit and the rest of Stephen Schwartz' score has the kind of melodic fluidity not heard on Broadway anymore, and it is a pity.

                                            Jason Sherwood's set design, and Bradley King's lighting immerse the audience in a wooded French provinciality that is striking.  This show has found its perfect venue and design concept, made vivid by Gordon Greenberg's direction, and Charlie Alterman's musical direction. Not to mention David Cullen's orchestrations.

                                               It is not often that a musical blows me away, these days.  But "The Baker's Wife " did.  If I could, I would go again, just to hear DeBose do "Meadowlark."  But for those who have not seen this underrated gem, get down to CSC, at once.

                                                And see what REAL musical theater is--or was!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!