A freshly-shorn and goateed Justin Guarini was in his element as he made his debut with the New York Stage & Film at Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, NY on Thursday, July 29, 2004. Guarini starred in Good Vibrations, a high-energy summer musical based on the classics of the legendary Brian Wilson and The Beach Boys.
Since Good Vibrations is a bare-bones workshop production, there is no set design and no rising curtain signifying the beginning of the play. The cast members amble about the stage, stretching, high-fiving, and warming up until slowly they are in position and a spotlight shines on a lone a capella group. As the a capella group sings in the background, the lead character (assistant choreographer David Larsen, brilliantly cast as Bobby) gives an introductory narration. Part Mamma Mia! and part Grease, the story focuses on a group of high school students who set off to California in search of themselves. The characters fit into the usual cliques — jocks, nerds, brains — though they are never caricatures and always real. The use of intentional anachronism helps this musical appeal to a wide demographic. Though the music is from the 1960s era, the play also reflects modern culture by featuring an interracial couple, a female mechanic and by including such recent pop culture references as the movie "Titanic".
Bobby (David Larsen, Stage: West Side Story. TV: "Boston Public"), the underachieving, tousled heart-throb is joined in lead roles by troublemaker Dave (Joe Restrepo, Saturday Night Fever, Fame — The Musical), lovable commitment-phobe Eddie (Titus Burgess, who will be in the world premiere of Jersey Boys at the La Jolla Playhouse), Marcella, Eddie’s hometown girl (Julie Martell, original Canadian company of Mamma Mia!) and Caroline, the brainy French club president and owner of the sweet ride that the boys need to get to California. (Megan McGinnis, Beauty and the Beast, Thoroughly Modern Millie.) Some solos of particular note are Martell’s rendition of Warmth of the Sun, McGinnis’s Your Imagination and Burgess’s Sail On Sailor, which I’d like to rename "Wail On, Sailor" — this young man can SING! Another up-and-comer to watch for is Tom Deckman, who plays the nerdy class president. (NY Stage: Encores! Bye Bye Birdie. TV: "Sex and the City", "Hope and Faith"). Deckman is well on his way to becoming known as a comic genius.
Justin Guarini keeps a low profile in the first act of the
play, standing in the shadows and singing in the chorus. There is
a palpable shift of energy, however, at the end of the first act
when a very well-muscled and glistening Guarini leaps onto the
stage in a wetsuit, and begins twisting and singing Surfin’
USA, his first solo. Guarini plays Jan, a west coast tough-guy
surfer. In this number Jan is later joined by his cool friend Dean
(David Reiser, West Side Story). (Yes, "Jan and
Dean" — get it?). Guarini’s natural stage presence while
singing is no secret, but in this production his extensive dance
training is finally utilized as well. Even when he's just standing
in the chorus tapping his foot or snapping, Guarini still stands
out because he puts his own extra "oomph" into it. The
music seems to well up out of him and cause him to move. Guarini
never looks as though he's just mimicking dance moves he learned.
Organic, fluid, and strong, Guarini’s dancing comes very much
from inside of him and is completely mesmerizing. His physicality
is apparent in a brief fight scene. Through facial expressions and
movement alone, Guarini also shows a natural gift for the comic
moment.
We hear Guarini’s voice again in a colorful solo of California
Girls, which displays his distinctive upper vocal range.
Guarini shines in Sloop John B, another solo which begins
with just his voice accompanied by his guitar strumming. The
unexpected acoustic arrangement works well and is a perfect
showcase for Guarini’s artistic sensitivity and vocal strengths.
Good Vibrations also features Guarini in a lively solo
rendition of Darlin. My only criticism of this number is
that the delightful and balletic pas de deux at the end of the
number is hidden behind the chorus when it really needs to be at
the front of the stage.
Guarini has a sizable and pivotal role in Good Vibrations and is clearly an audience favorite. He was surrounded by a talented, cohesive cast and shows competence as both an ensemble member and as an individual performer. In a medley during the curtain call of the performance, the audience is brought to its feet by cast members singing and dancing in the aisles and a rainstorm of beach balls being playfully volleyed into and among the audience. Ever the consummate and gracious professional, Guarini looked directly at his fans and made sure to acknowledge them, thanking them, winking, and blowing kisses directly to them. Before leaving after each performance, Guarini took time to sign autographs, pose for pictures and offer thanks and hugs to his fans, both old and new. Those who haven’t kept up with Guarini since his stint on American Idol may be stunned to see the fresh faced, curly-topped boy next door replaced by a mature, confident man who naturally exudes a raw and smoldering sensuality.
Though official press reviews were not allowed for Good Vibrations, producers and other key people attended the show and it was well-received. The unofficial word is that several offers are on the table from Broadway, and it is likely we will see a full production of Good Vibrations within a year. Good Vibrations is written by Richard Dresser (Rounding Third, Human Error) and directed and choreographed by John Carrafa who choreographed Urinetown and Into the Woods.
Michelle is an admirer and supporter of Justin Guarini and his career. She plans to buy multiple copies of his next album in 2005.