If they really wanted to improve some of the 2nd act, they could have, since this is a fantasy of the not-that-glamorous real Nick Arnstein being cast better looking, why not have Fanny try to get him out of trouble and try to flatter his ego and put him in show biz for a while -- it would have given her co-star more to do. Or alternatively, rather than that crappy song for Nick they put in, they could have paid the Comden/Green estates and put in "I'm Just Taking My Time" from "Subways Are For Sleeping" for Nick, a much better song. Just cut down on some of the sturm und drung of Fanny pining for Nick and him feeling upset at being call Mr. Brice in the second act.
Btw, "Subways" plays as a much more entertaining show than its history suggests. I saw a production at York Theater a few years ago, and it was pretty delightful -- other than cutting one of its big songs, which was a mistake. |
