The only problem with getting old is getting old.
That’s the enduring lesson from the musical version of “Grumpy Old Men.” It opened Wednesday at Savannah Center and runs through Friday.
The show is based on the 1993 movie and touches on the joy, anger, sadness and loss that comes with age.
Maybe Punky Olander – played by Lisa Jones – summed it up with these words: “He didn’t die, he just stopped living.”
Ultimately, the musical makes it clear that the joy of life can overcome the grief of death.
This production hits some raw nerve endings for seniors. It’s a long show, running 2 hours and 15 minutes. And while it slows down at times, the musical builds to a poignant climax.
Two performers, as expected, dominate the stage. Alex Santoriello – in his usual Broadway level performance standard — plays John Gustafson. That’s the role Jack Lemmon played in the film.
Lon Abrams gives a masterful performance as Max Goldman, the guy who drives Santoriello’s character crazy. While no one could match Walter Matthau’s screen role, Abrams is a joy to behold. He’s not only grumpy; he’s grouchy, nasty and perpetually ticked off. He contorts his face into emotional masks and plays a hilarious scene trying to rise from an oversized floor pillow.
Those two guys faceoff against each other all night long. The battle really heats up when sexy Ariel Truax, played by Mary Jo Vitale, moves into the cold, small town of Wabasha, Minnesota.
In between bouts of ice-fishing, the two grumpy guys rediscover their libidos thanks to Truax. Vitale plays the role with a slinky and saucy flirtatious style. In the end, she lights Santoriello’s character’s fire. And Abrams tries to put out the flame.
Among the subplots involves a witchy IRS agent, Sandra Snyder, played with juicy vindictiveness by Linda Payne. She’s determined to get every last cent from Santoriello.
Then there’s the grumpy guys’ kids.
Gustafson’s daughter Melanie Norton, (Dawn DiNome), is trapped in a failing marriage and wants to leave the little town for the fast lane in Los Angeles.
Goldman’s son Jacob (John Kase) is a lawyer ready for the move to a big firm in New York City.
But their plans are hampered when DiNome and Kase fall for each other. And before you could say Romeo and Juliet, their daddies find another combat zone. But love still finds a way to conquer all, and DiNome and Kase make it real.
Vince Morris, as the owner of a fishing and bait shop, adds a calming feeling to the show. He delivers a poignant number, “An Angel,” near the end of the first act.
Garry Gibbons as Grandpa Gustafson brings comedic lunacy to his part and constantly spews below-the-belt sexual references to everyone.
Paul Carmignani as Harry the Mailman provides a steady stream of comic relief.
“Grumpy Old Men: The Musical” can’t match the motion picture but it’s a lot of fun and in between the laughs, delivers a powerful message.
Tony Violanti covers music and entertainment for Villages-News.com. He was inducted into The Buffalo Music Hall of Fame as a music journalist.
