REVIEW: Dion’s music electrifies ‘The Wanderer’ at Paper Mill Playhouse
Photo: Mike Wartell and the cast of The Wanderer bring the songbook of Dion to life on stage at the Paper Mill Playhouse. Photo courtesy of Jeremy Daniel / Provided by The Press Room with permission.
MILLBURN, N.J. — The Wanderer, a new musical set to the music of Dion, has arrived at the Paper Mill Playhouse, and the wait has been worth it. The jukebox musical tells the story of Dion DiMucci’s life, from his upbringing on Belmont Avenue in the Bronx to his eventual musical career, which produced such hits as “The Wanderer,” “Runaround Sue,” “King of the New York Streets” and “Abraham, Martin and John.” Throughout the ups and downs of his formative years, Dion stayed focused on a personal and professional journey that fit who he was and what he was trying to accomplish with his music; this steadfast approach meant he some run-ins with his parents, the record executives and the drug habit he struggled to kick.
The Paper Mill Playhouse’s expansive stage showcases a stylized version of Belmont Avenue in the Bronx, an alternative Little Italy to Manhattan’s neighborhood. Dion grew up amidst the stoops, the sidewalks and, most importantly, the streetlamps of this section of New York City. He combined this physical accoutrement into his lyrics and advanced the doo-wop style, which often was sung beneath the glow of a streetlamp. These are those recognizable 1950s and 1960s songs that have catchy hooks, easy-to-digest lyrics and winning harmony.
After Dion started his band (appropriately named the Belmonts), his music started to take off, and he found himself thrust from humble beginnings in the Bronx to the national scale. One of his career highlights — which would become a scary cautionary tale — involved a winter tour with the likes of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper. Dion, as the story goes, ultimately didn’t take the doomed flight that would kill those three musicians, but the tragedy of that situation stayed with him, seemingly, forever.
Rebounding from that incident, Dion wanted to continue on his own path, and he was growing tired of the doo-wop style (so was the United States at the time). Despite criticisms from his team, he fashioned himself a folk artist and changed his musical style and physical look. The move was a big risk, but it paid off with a major hit called “Abraham, Martin and John,” brought to life quite movingly in The Wanderer.
The musical, which runs just shy of three hours, is a large spectacle with many characters coming in and out of Dion’s life. There are love interests, parents, neighbors, fellow musicians and friends. Most of them are solid, positive influences in his life, but some — notably a character named Johnny — are toxic to the young singer.
The cast is near-perfect, and they bring Dion’s songbook to life with verve and vivacity. Mike Wartella is giving a star turn as Dion. His vocal chops are up to the challenge, especially with those high-pitched harmonies on the early doo-wop songs like “A Teenager in Love.” He also has the dramatic skill to make the audience feel empathy for Dion’s meteoric rise and near death spiral due to drugs. It’s an effective, engaging performance.
Joli Tribuzio, who actually grew up on Belmont Avenue, and Johnny Tammaro are quite skilled as Frances and Pat DiMucci, respectively. They are loving, sometimes stern parents to Dion, and they shower him with adulation and hard-earned wisdom about his life choices. Joey McIntyre (yes, that Joey McIntyre) is enjoyable as Johnny, the devil on Dion’s shoulder, telling him about the shortcuts in life and ways to screw up the opportunities he has been given. Kingsley Leggs (Willie Green) is also a wonderful addition to the cast, ditto for Jasmine Rogers as Melody Green. Christy Altomare (playing Susan, who eventually marries Dion) has one of the best singing voices in the cast.
The Wanderer is a fun and poetic journey into the life of a Bronx resident who made it big on the national scale. The songbook that comes to life in the show is catchy and sing-along worthy. The scenes captured by director Kenneth Ferrone and book writer Charles Messina are beautifully realized, especially the opener set to “King of the New York Streets.” Some may make parallels to that other jukebox musical about a group of Italian-American singers, but Dion’s story is unique enough to hold its head high. The connection to that doomed flight, the overcoming of drugs, the doo-wop culture of the Bronx in the 1960s — all of these make for dramatic, important storytelling. The songs are pure entertainment and toe-tapping fun. With a little trimming here and there, The Wanderer is well on its way to a longer run across the river in New York City.
By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com
The Wanderer continues performances at the Paper Mill Playhouse through Sunday, April 24. Set to the music of Dion DiMucci. Book by Charles Messina. Directed by Kenneth Ferrone. Starring Christy Altomare, Kingsley Leggs, Joey McIntyre, Jasmine Rogers, Jeffrey Schecter, Johnny Tammaro, Joli Tribuzio and Mike Wartella. Running time: 2 hours, 50 minutes. Click here for more information and tickets.
