The Star-Ledger, April 10, 2012
Maureen McGovern charms in 'Carry It On'
By Peter Filichia
Ken Huth
She doesn’t just answer the famed question, “Where were you in ’62?” Maureen McGovern also
assesses where she is at 62.
Yes, in “Carry It On,” McGovern’s captivating and genuinely moving one-woman show, the singer
freely owns up to three score and two years.
Of course, fessing up to one’s age is what people always do when they don’t remotely look that age.
And McGovern definitely doesn’t. Her vocal cords have remained in shape as well.
“Carry It On,” now enjoying a substantial success at Two River Theater Company in Red Bank, is
mandatory theatergoing for Baby Boomers. McGovern mentions a time when Buffy meant “St. Marie”
and not a vampire slayer. She’s here to talk and sing about Howdy Doody, “Father Knows Best,” the
Beatles and the doors.
No, not Jim Morrison’s group — she’s talking about the many metaphorical doors through which she’s
gone since she grew up Catholic in Youngstown, Ohio. The doors opened wide for her skyrocket
success as the voice of two Oscar-winning songs from disaster movies. Then they slammed shut.
McGovern doesn’t shy away from telling about her bouts with obscurity and many humiliations. As she
wisely notes, “An artist never wastes a good heartbreak.”
Nor does an artist fail to make a comeback if she has the talent, determination and good fortune. And
this is a splendid return.
There’s got to be “The Morning After” in any McGovern show, and the lady does not disappoint. In
addition, there’s one selection from “A Chorus Line” and a couple by the Beatles. She beautifully sings
a Bob Dylan song, which may annoy those who prefer his gargle-with-razor-blades voice but will
please everybody else. Add to these a “Happy Birthday” song that’s hardly the four-line one we’ve all
sung since time immemorial, but an actual happy birthday march. Through it all, McGovern proves
herself equally at home with pop, jazz, folk and musical theater.
Another tune — a medley of snippets of ’50s and ’60s pop songs — may, on the surface, sound
unexciting. After all, how many thousands have there been? But McGovern’s hit parade doesn’t involve
actual words. She instead assembles all the nonsense syllables that were the backbone of novelty
songs. Even those Boomers who bought every 45 single, eight-track tape and album will be surprised
that there are so many. It’s the evening’s most hilarious highlight.
Pianist Jeffrey Harris accompanies McGovern with skill and sensitivity. The rapport they share goes a
long way in making the evening seem to be a lovely after-dinner entertainment. McGovern makes the
stage her own personal living room and is cozy-comfortable in it.
McGovern tells many a story about friends and relatives. She and director and co-writer Philip
Himberg somehow make them universal, as if they’re about everyone’s folks and friends.
And now that her audience members are no longer babies and are hardly booming, McGovern tackles
the inevitable issues of health care and health scares.
At one point, she asks, “How did we gawky girls turn out to be such captivating women?” There’s no
denying that McGovern made that leap.
While “Carry It On” will run only two more weeks, it deserves to run two more years.
Yes, we’d still need her, yes, we’d still feed her when she’s 64.
'Carry It On'
Where: Two River Theater Company, 21 Bridge Ave. Red Bank
When: Through April 22. Wednesdays at 1 and 7 p.m., Thursdays and Fridays at 8 p.m. Saturdays at
3 and 8 p.m., Sundays at 3 p.m.
How much: $37 to $57. Call (732) 345-1400 or visit trtc.org.
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