![Secret Theatre’s ‘[title of show]’ delivers with witty, comedic dialogue and tunes](https://qns.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/titleofshow_2018_04_06_q01_z.jpg?w=1200)
By Merle Exit
The uniquely-named “[title of show]” has begun its run at Long Island City’s Secret Theatre.
Directed by Scott Guntrie, “[title of show]” first debuted at the 2004 New York Musical Theatre Festival prior to its Off-Broadway run and continues its run at Secret Theatre — located at 44-02 23rd St. — through April 14.
The plot centers on two gay men, Jeff Bowen (Jason Moody) and Hunter Bell (Jeffrey Scott Stevens), who decide to write a musical to submit to an annual festival to help boost their struggling acting careers. They have just three weeks to get the job done.
The musical gets its name based on a submission form that reads, “[title of show],” which the creators chose to use as the title. The show is a humorous spoof on what needs to be done to execute their dreams.
As the show progresses — without an intermission — the writers decide that they are going to use the dialogue that comes up between the four main characters as the dialogue in the play. The dialogue proved to be witty and comedic, especially with one subplot: the casting of the show.
Since they are continuing with the festival, from Off-Broadway to the Great White Way, they are also attempting to get in touch with people who might be interested in being in the Broadway version, both major stars — in their dreams — as well as unknown actors.
The acting and singing talent of the cast was enjoyable to watch. They were excellent, though a little more enunciation would have further enhanced the show, as it was sometimes difficult to understand some of the dialogue and lyrics.
The show started with a fast pace and continued that way through most of the performance, but the end of the play dragged on just a bit.
Will “[title of show]” succeed on Broadway? As the cast sings, “I’d rather be nine people’s favorite thing than 100 people’s ninth favorite thing. Those nine people will tell nine people. Then we’ll have 18 people lovin’ the show! Then 18 people will grow into 525,600 people all lovin’ our show!”
You can catch performances of “[title of show]” at the Secret Theatre until April 14, with show times offered every day at 7:30 p.m. except Monday, April 9, and Tuesday, April 10. There will be an additional matinee show on Sunday, April 8, at 3 p.m.
For get tickets, call the box office at (718) 392-0722 and visit the Secret Theatre’s website for more information.
