I became aware of The Baker’s Wife when captivated by the song “Meadowlark” performed in a cabaret show. Already familiar with the (highly recommended) 1938 film, I acquired a CD and have listened intermittently for years. Stephen Schwartz and Joseph Stein created their musical in 1976 and, retooling along the way, began a tour that alas never made it to Broadway. Scrappy J2 Theater Company has mounted a worthy production. Though a few songs not on the CD may best have been left in the trunk, the musical’s simple, tender story and captivating score are eminently appealing. The show is sweet, uplifting, and a relief from all the sturm and drang currently in theaters.
The baker, Aimable (Howard Pinhasik), and his wife, Genevieve (Madison Claire Parks)
Café owner Denise (the engaging Kelly Lester) welcomes us with a pretty “Chanson” (in French and English). Because nothing changes in her provincial French village, small concerns grow large. The only baker died and Concorde has been without bread for weeks! Tensions are high. People snipe at one another. Today a replacement arrives.
New baker Aimable Castagnet (Howard Pinhasik) seems to be in his late sixties, his pretty young wife Genevieve (Madison Claire Parks) in her twenties. (Hurrah for age appropriate casting.) They immediately become gossip fodder. We intuit that after a bad break up, the young woman found refuge and security with her older husband. She’s shell-shocked, but grateful and resolves to be a good wife. For his part, Aimable has been given a second lease on life. He’s exuberant, solicitous, adoring.
Dominique( Bruce Landry) and Genevieve (Madison Claire Parks)
Soon the first bread is ready. Baguettes are superb. Aimable is virtually a hero. A local Marquis (Cooper Grodin), having to feed three live-in “nieces”/prostitutes, puts in a large standing order. The bread is collected by his dogsbody, Dominique (Bruce Landry,) who immediately sets his sights on Genevieve. The girl tries to resist, but, well, you know… “You can’t stay with him. You’ll dry up and die,” her smoldering suitor says. Here’s the gorgeous “Meadowlark” done justice (by Parks)
The young couple runs off. Bereft, Aimable stops baking. The village is back to square one – some blame, others understand, but all want their bread. Search teams are sent to bring Genevieve back. Meanwhile, she’s made her own fable-necessary choice. The terrific lyrics and performance of “Look at Him” (about Dominique) resonates. All ends happily.
Melodie Wolfod, Keith Lee Grant, Eric Michael Gillett, Howard Pinhasik (Aimable), Grant Evan, Susan J. Jacks, Brian Michael Henry, Kelly Lester, Alexandrea Amadeo-Frost, Dani Apple, Cooper Grodin, Taylor Erin Wade, Jesse Sharp
Though sometimes singing ahead of accompaniment, Howard Pinhasik is an utterly charming, sympathetic Aimable. Handsome Bruce Landry (Dominique) generates heat as effectively as he does the cockiness of his character. The actor has a notably fine tenor. His fine interpretation of “Proud Lady” (great lyrics) resonates. An artist to watch. Both men are thoroughly pleasing.
The find here is Madison Claire Parks (Genevieve), an extremely attractive young woman who sings beautifully, inhabits her role and does both with grace and naturalness rarely found in musicals. Rodgers and Hammerstein would’ve loved her. A leading lady if there ever was one.
Aimable (Howard Pinhasik) and Genevieve (Madison Claire Parks)
Director (and company artistic director) Robert W. Schneider skillfully moves his large cast around, on, and off the small staging area. Leads are focused and well defined. There’s some over-acting, but the company is symbiotic, enthusiastic and sings well together. Caitlin Belcik’s choreography over complicates dances in confined space.
Easy fixes that read false: the wine color, characters who sit at a table and drink beverages already in glasses, that Aimable pushes his wife out the door to thank Dominique’s serenade in her nightgown.
Joshua Warner’s set design prettily fills the bill while Matthew Solomon’s costumes are hit or miss in representation of the 1930s.
Music direction/orchestrations by Miles Plant are understated and winning.
Photos by Russ Rowland
Opening: Howard Pinhasik and the Company
J2 Spotlight Musical Theater Company presents
The Baker’s Wife
Based on the film “La femme du boulanger” by Marcel Pagnol and Jean Giono (on YouTube)
Music and Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz
Book by Joseph Stein
Directed by Robert W Schneider
Through March 20, 2022
Theatre Row
410 West 42nd Street
