The JJ in this story btw, is no relation, thanks for asking! I guess since it’s the role for which John Lithgow won a Tony, I won’t protest any confusion (other than gender confusion) too much . . .and maybe this review’s description of “JJ’s acid arrogance” . . . 
“The ensemble of singers and dancers was packed with fine singers who also could dance. . .”
Jan 11, 2008
‘Sweet Smell’ has sharp edge, snappy cast
By Kati Schardl
DEMOCRAT STAFF WRITER
If “Sweeney Todd” is the dark and gleaming star in Stephen Sondheim’s theatrical diadem, then “Sweet Smell of Success” is Marvin Hamlisch’s “Sweeney.”
That’s right — Marvin Hamlisch, whose first hit was Lesley Gore’s 1965 rendition of his ditty “Sunshine, Lollipops and Rainbows” and who’s best known for his peppy reworking of Scott Joplin rags for the soundtrack for “The Sting.”
The man who made “The Entertainer” a pop-music staple got downright dark with the tunes in the score of “Sweet Smell.” Craig Carnelia provided lyrics of an equally dusky hue, and the inimitable John Guare (“Six Degrees of Separation”) supplied hard-edged, snappy dialogue.
“Sweet Smell of Success” is a musical adaptation of the superb Clifford Odets-Ernest Lehman movie (based on Lehman’s novella) of 1957, a thrilling dive into the shark tank of Noo Yawk celebrity culture as chronicled by celebrated columnist Walter Winchell in the ’40s and ’50s.
Theatre A La Carte’s Concert Series production of “Sweet Smell” put the music in the spotlight at Wednesday’s preview performance. There was a jim-dandy chamber orchestra/swing-band onstage, and the performers packed nifty dance numbers (choreographed by Michele Ackermann) into the remaining space with verve and economy. . .
Read full review at the newspaper link. We have tickets for tonight, whee!
I am JAZZED.
Power of story comment from the theatre list’s backstage chatter today, about how real the picture looks: