Three Coins in the Fountain

(ST. LOUIS; Opened, reviewed July 7, 1997, at the Municipal Theater; 12,000 seats,$37 top.)

A St. Louis Municipal Theater presentation of a musical in two acts, with music by Jule Styne, lyrics by Sammy Cahn, book by Paul Blake and Doris Baizley, based on the novel "Coins in the Fountain," by John H. Secondari, Directed by Blake. Set, William Eckart; costumes, Robert Fletcher

Joel Higgins (Fred Shadwell), Leslie Denniston (Frances Bertin), Michele Pawk (Ginny), Lara Teeter (Phil), Maureen Brennan (Anita), James Clow (Giorgio), Wayne Salomon (Wayne Arnold), Ray Fournie (Rodolfo).

By Joe Pollack

Blake, who also directed, has two-dimensional men to go with the women --- an American promoter (Joel Higgins) about to open a nightclub (the romantically named Club Kansas); his pal (Lara Teeter), a footloose American dancer; and an Italian photographer (James Clow). Although the show is apparently supposed to be upbeat, Blake has weighed it down with a series of I-will-wait-for-you numbers including "I've Heard That Song Before," "I'll Walk Alone" and "It's Been a Long, Long Time." The most absurd song-action juxtaposition is the use of "Saturday Night (Is the Loneliest Night of the Week)" as the six players prepare for a night on the town.

The technical work is adequate, though the choreography, by Gemze de Lappe and Mike Phillips, uses only the small midsection of the Muny's huge stage, and set designer William Eckart, despite a nice rendition of the Trevi Fountain, brings forth a Rome nightclub with all the appeal of a cyclone fence.

The venerable score will strike responsive chords in only a limited audience; "Time After Time," the youngest song, dates to 1966, and the title number is from 1954. The others are from 1942-48, and also include "It's Magic," "Time After Time," "Guess I'll Hang My Tears Out to Dry," "I Fall in Love Too Easily," "The Brooklyn Bridge," "Put 'em in a Box," "The Song's Gotta Come From the Heart" and "Give Me Five Minutes More."

Lighting, Martin Aronstein; sound, Erik von Ranson; musical direction, Lynn Crigler; choreography, Gemze de Lappe and Mike Phillips; production stage manager, Nevin Hedley., Running time: 2 HOURS.

Robert Earl Gleason, Michael Kaer Miller, Rich Pisarkiewicz.