'ADDING MACHINE' Just Doesn't Add Up

I first heard of the Off-Broadway musical Adding Machine in New York. It was getting stellar reviews. While near the Times Sq. ticket booth I recall being told that THIS is the musical to see.

So when I first heard that Adding Machine was coming to Washington's Studio Theatre, I was quite excited.  I wish I could get to the Studio more often. Two shows I really loved there were Indian Ink and Pillowman. So it was with great anticipation I awaited the performance. 

I was lost at the very beginning. The first scene opens with a married couple in bed (which is standing on it end so the actors are literally standing). Their names are Mr. and Mrs. Zero. Singing "Something to Be Proud Of" is the bitter Mrs. Zero (played by Joanne Schmoll).  This has to be the most irritating opening number in the history of musical theater. How Schmoll learned the music (by Joshua Schmidt and Jason Loewith) is a mystery. It's atonal, abrasive, and awful.  While the audience gets the impression she is singing about her horrible relationship with her husband, it is very difficult to hear any lyric. This is certainly not Golda singing to her husband Tevye "Do You Love Me". What a way to open a show.

The musical then shifts to Mr. Zero's assembly-like, repetitious job as a bookkeeper where his loyal co-worker and would-be mistress Daisy (the wonderful Kristen Jepperson) reads him numbers which Zero (the amazing David Benoit) compiles. Sure the work is tedious, boring, and repetitious...like many assembly line positions. The music here is tedious, boring, and repetitious. Try listening to "In Numbers". It's hard.

Zero is a BIG man. After doing this menial work for 25 years, he's ready for a promotion and has hopes and dreams.

After Zero is told by his evil boss (played well by Dan Via) that his job isn't necessary due to the invention of the adding machine, Zero gets his revenge by inflicting his boss with a mortal blow using his filing spike as a weapon. Yes, Zero has lost it. He goes home like nothing as happened and is nagged by his wife for being late. Soon thereafter he's convicted and placed in jail where he meets fellow prisoner and insane Shrdlu (the marvelous Stephen Gregory Smith). They have a great number "The Gospel According to Shrdlu".

After Zero's execution, the action shifts to the Elysian Fields where Zero is surprised what a lovely place it is. His lovely Daisy even joins him there. Things are looking up for them until they realize they are really in a holding tank soon to have to return to earth.

So there you have it. One who has a boring job, kills his boss, is executed, has a lovely after-life but is forced to return to earth. Maybe I  just don't understand the Elmer Rice 1923 novel that is considered a classic. 

The cast is supported by Joe Peck, Katie Nigsch, Channez McQuay, and Thomas Adrian Simpson who assume a variety of smaller roles.

The off-stage band conducted by Alex Tang deserves special praise. This music is not easy to play.

One final comment on David Benoit. I saw him in the tour of Avenue Q in Baltimore and was impressed.  Maybe because I just recently saw the Broadway hit God of Carnage, I couldn't help comparing Benoit to the wonderful former "Soprano" James Gandolfini.  Benoit has a great future ahead of him. I look forward to seeing him again on any stage.

Well, see for yourself. I truly believe I have a minority view of this musical.

For tickets: 202-332-3300 or visit www.studiotheatre.org.

Coming next: The Solid Gold Cadillac opening Dec. 2 and running to January 10, 2010.

The PAY WHAT YOU CAN performance is Dec. 5 at 2 p.m.

For comments, write to cgshubow@broadwayworld.com.