Theater review | Great nostalgic music propels Manatee Players' 'Yank!'
BRADENTON -- There's a lot to like about "Yank! A WWII Love Story," a little-known musical that opened Thursday at the Manatee Performing Arts Center.
The script tackles a subject that we don't hear too much about -- communities of gay soldiers during World War II -- and it does so smartly and entertainingly. The Manatee Players production has a great cast, an impressive set, strong musical accompaniment and some fun choreography.
But the aspect of the show that leaves the most indelible impression is the music. Composer Joseph Zellnick and his lyricist brother David have packed the show packed with tuneful and immediately engaging songs that set the era and give the show the feel of a classic American musical. "Yank!" has 21 musical numbers, including reprises, and there's hardly a bad one in the bunch.
David Zellnick's story centers on a young, slight and unworldly soldier, played nicely by Brian Craft, who gets bullied for being effeminate by the other members of his squad. But one barrel-chested solider befriends him, and the two fall in love. William E. Masuck plays that soldier with a striking combination of toughness and tenderness.
Craft's character, Stu, ends up splitting from his squad and going to work for "Yank," an Army magazine. While on that job he begins an affair with Artie, a veteran photographer who introduces him to the military's gay subculture. Brian Finnerty, as Artie, is huge fun to watch as an actor, has one of the best voices in the cast and performs a great tap number. (Finnerty also choreographed the show, and all the dance numbers are thoroughly entertaining.)
The first act is fun, and its love story is touching. Things turn dark in the second act, though, as Stu is arrested and interrogated, McCarthy-style, about other homosexuals in his company.
The second act is effective on its own, but its departure from the love story is jarring. It feels as if it's trying too hard to explore every aspect of a gay man's experience in World War II instead of focusing on its story.
The only real problem with the script is an unnecessary framing device. In a prologue and epilogue, Craft plays a modern-day young man who buys Stu's journal in a junk store. It's not a bad way to get the play started, but it leads to a ham-fisted denouement.
The cast is large for the intimate Bradenton Kiwanis Theater, with 10 men and one woman. There are no bad performances, and the dancing and ensemble harmonies are strong. Beside Craft, Masuck and Finnerty, the best performance comes from Katie Eichler in a variety of roles.
She's called upon to sing more than act here, and every time she starts to sing you know you're in for a treat. She also has one of the show's most interesting roles, as a semi-closeted lesbian who works in Gen. Douglas MacArthur's office, and she's completely believable.
The accompaniment comes from pianist Michelle Neal. Her playing is spot-on, and she plays steadily through much of the show.
In spite of its story and themes, it's essentially a big, old-fashioned musical that would benefit from a touch of spectacle. But it works beautifully, especially in its first act, in the studio theater thanks to 11 fine performances, an expansive set by Ralph Nurmela and brisk, fluid direction by Kenn C. Rapcynski.
Details: Through March 6, Manatee Performing Arts Center, 502 Third Ave. W., Bradenton. Show times: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets: $26. Information: 941-748-5875, manateeperformingartscenter.com.
Marty Clear, features writer/columnist, can be reached at 941-708-7919.
This story was originally published February 19, 2016 at 6:25 PM with the headline "Theater review | Great nostalgic music propels Manatee Players' 'Yank!' ."