Let's start with the cumbersome title, "Revolution In The Elbow Of Ragnar Agnarsson, Furniture Painter." The title is both cumbersome and literal. I don't know if this Agnarsson was a real person, but I do know that someone on the creative staff must have been obsessed with the 1966 sci-fi film "Fantastic Voyage," (this was the film where Judith Crist rightly pointed out "the dialogue does not rise above Raquel Welch's bust line.") because, in this show, the audience has to accept there is a thriving community living within the elbow of this artist. The town is called--what else??????--Elbowville.
The other thing I want to say is, despite Cady Huffman's phenomenal vocal prowess, especially with such a mediocre score, and her ability to wear some of the show's most eye-catching costumes, if I were she I would look for a new agent. Come on, Cady, you are much better than this, and if this is the best your current agent can do, he should be fired, and fast!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The whole thing is a metaphor for the economic collapse of Iceland in 2008, with lots of anti-capitalism remarks and references. Not that I object, but ho hum!!!!!!!!!!!!! If this had been done twenty years ago, at either La Ma Ma, or the New York Theatre Workshop, it might have past muster, but today???????? Come on!!!!!!!!!!!! As I sat watching, I counted off the influences of musicals of the past thirty years--everything from "Rent" to "Dreamgirls!"
How this got to even the Minetta Lane Theatre is beyond me!!!!!!!!!!!! Better a meal at the Minetta Tavern than this show. A place that has lasted longer than this show will ever play at this venue!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Of course, for you theater novices, who have yet to have the experience of seeing real crap, this is the show for you. For the rest of us............been there, done that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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