The Broadway revival of Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick's The Apple Tree gives us the pleasure of being in the presence of two of Broadway's most talented, charismatic, entertaining performers: Kristin Chenowith and Mark Kudisch. She is the definition of adorable, and in the first (and strongest) playlet, based on Mark Twain's story, "The Diary of Adam & Eve," her beauty, personal charm and exquisite timing will melt you. In the second, "The Lady or the Tiger," she is a Lucille Ball filling the stage with comic antics. In the third piece, "Passionella" by Jules Feiffer, she becomes a ballsy Madeline Kahn.
Yes, the first segment, in the Garden of Eden, is the strongest, but anything Chenowith does is captivating, and for me she can do no wrong. Kudisch morphs into the wriggliest, slitheriest reptile in the garden. His strength, charm and powerful singing voice hold the rest of the show together.
Co-star Brian d'Arcy James shines as the English rocker in "Passionella," his most expansive role in the show. The entire cast, including Walter Charles, is first-rate Broadway. Except for putting Eve in a white tight-fitting, unflattering dress, Jess Goldstein's costumes are imaginative and eye-catching; sets by John Lee Beatty more than fulfill the script, and Donald Holder's lighting is just right. Gary Griffin directs with timing that lifts the material beyond weaknesses in the script. (A great cast of characters, but not much plot.)
Personally, I'd go see Chenowith if she were reading the phone book.
