We’ve all heard of the mythical Bigfoot. He’s a huge creature covered in fur and a popular figure in American and Canadian folklore.
Now we can see and hear him at New York City Center Stage I in the new musical comedy by Amber Ruffin, David A. Schmoll, and Kevin Sciretta.
Today, sometimes referred to as Sasquatch, Bigfoot often inspires fear. Yet in the often silly, sometimes clever new Off-Broadway musical set in the ‘80s, Bigfoot is a gentle, incredibly well-spoken well-meaning young man played by Grey Hensen (Shucked, Elf, Mean Girls.) Unfortunately, a quick tryst between his ailing mother Francine (wonderful Crystal-Lucas Perry) and a traveling carny in Muddirt, a town with a nuclear plant and a pharmaceutical plant begat an unusual child. Bigfoot is a sad byproduct of the environment. To keep him safe, his mother insists that he live in the woods. Yet he loves Muddirt and despite his clumsiness often goes out at night quietly to help.
Despite the environment, the townspeople care about their town. The unscrupulous mayor (Alex Moffatt -SNL alumni ) hopes to get rich by knocking down their homes to build a water park. In order to divert the attention of the townspeople from his plan, he riles them up to hunt down Bigfoot. Gentle compassionate Bigfoot is able to befriend the huntress Joanne (Katerina McCrimmon- Funny Girl) sent to kill him. Together they form a plan to prevent the mudslides that plague the town. Later Bigfoot wins over the subsequent hunting party when the people realize that he has been quietly helping them, using his strength to clear trees and move cars.
With his quiet measured speech and surprisingly unexpected erudite language and observations, Bigfoot wins us over as well. As Bigfoot, Hensen is sweet and understated, especially notable since everyone else in the small talented cast belts out the songs and overacts, adding to the silliness. Like his character in Elf, he is innocent and naive and makes you want to take care of him. He is guileless and naive with the education and vocabulary of a PhD student.
There are 1980’s references in the musical as well as some sharp quips, some clever and insightful, and some flat out slapstick moments. Some of the humor comes from repetition. When Francine repeatedly appears to drop dead, the doctor (Jason Tam) slaps her to see if she’s alive and then she slaps him back. The third time she asks if he is Ike Turner.
Francine is ailing. No doubt her illness has been caused by the chemical plant and a nuclear plant. If only the Doctor can find a cure!!
Bigfoot is directed and choreographed by Danny Mefford who also has a delightful version of 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee running. The eight-week run is being presented in association with Manhattan Theatre Club. Stage I is a relatively small venue and the powerful singers belt out their songs. Sometimes it's a bit too much. Jade Jones (Vanities, Olney's Beauty and the Beast) as "As Cast” plays several comic roles. Alex Moffat (SNL alumni) proves himself to be agile and physical as the drunken craven mayor.
The show is silly even as it offers lessons about friendship and judging people. Bigfoot is a pleasant, much- needed reprieve from reality. Okay, we have a nuclear plant and chemical plant killing the environment. Okay, we have a corrupt politician willing to sell out his own constituents for his own gain and a selfish business man willing to destroy a town to make money by building a water park. But, unlike real life, all ends happily and for a short quick fast-moving 90 minutes, outside problems don’t exist.
