Take A Magic Carpet Ride With Civic’s ‘Kismet’

The Turkish word “kismet” has entered the English language as a synonym for destiny, especially a romantic destiny.

“Kismet,” the Arabian Nights-like musical which opens Friday at the Spokane Civic Theatre, can be credited with popularizing both the word and the concept.

“Kismet” was a long-running Broadway hit in 1953. It spawned three hit songs, “Baubles, Bangles and Beads,” “And This is My Beloved” and “Stranger in Paradise.”

And long before that, it was a popular stage play by Edward Knoblauch. It opened in New York in 1911 with Otis Skinner as the Baghdad poet-beggar, Hajj.

Producer Charles Lederer had the inspiration in 1953 to take the same story (poet-beggar finds adventure and romance in the harems of old Baghdad) and add some beautiful, vaguely Oriental music from the catalog of Russian classical composer Alexander Borodin.

Then, add new lyrics by Robert Wright and George Forrest, and, presto, instant Broadway hit.

It was a hit with audiences, running 583 performances right smack in the middle of Broadway’s heyday. Yet it was not quite so beloved by the critics, who were far from unanimous in their praise.

“I guess the only thing this song-and-dance ‘Kismet’ hasn’t got is any particular integrity - as satire, as Arabian Nights nonsense, as romantic moonshine, as honest operetta,” wrote the powerful Walter Kerr of the Herald-Tribune. “It’s the sort of show that would sell its soul for a joke, and the jokes should be better at the price.”

Brooks Atkinson of the New York Times said “the rich massiveness of ‘Kismet’ is stupefying.”

Yet the show flourished for two reasons. First, other critics loved it (“the biggest and brightest of magical carpets,” said the World Telegraph and Sun), and the reviews didn’t matter much anyway. New York was in the midst of a newspaper strike, so the reviews weren’t even printed until after the public made it into a hit by acclamation.

“Kismet” went on to sweep the Tony Awards, including Best Musical.

The real appeal, beyond the lovely Borodin melodies, was in the magical sets, costumes and choreography. It’s the kind of show in which designers can allow their imaginations to run free.

“Kismet” is also a big show, in every sense. The Civic’s version has a cast of 40, starring Cheyenne Jackson as the Poet, Kevin Partridge as the Caliph and Lynn Brinckmeyer as Lalume.

“The singing borders on the operatic, and the dancing borders on the balletic,” said musical director Gary Laing.

The director is Robert Allen Jr., who just received his master’s degree in theater from Washington State University.

The show runs May 17, 19, 23-25, 30-31, June 1-2, 6-8 and 13-15. All shows are at 8 p.m. except Sunday matinees at 2 p.m.

Tickets are $15 for adults on Fridays and Saturdays, $12 for adults on Thursdays and Sundays, $12 for seniors and $9 for students.

Call 325-2507 for reservations. The Spokane Civic Theatre is at 1020 N. Howard, across from the Arena.

‘To Gillian on Her 37th Birthday’

The ACT Theatre in the Valley opens a tender romantic drama Friday, Michael Brady’s “To Gillian On Her 37th Birthday.”

This 1984 off-Broadway hit is about a man who lost his wife two years ago in a boating accident. He goes to his beachfront cottage on the eve of what would have been her 37th birthday and tries to deal with his loss and move on with his life. His family and friends gather around him.

Director Susan Smith calls it a “a romantic drama,” with comic elements but serious themes.

Jamie Flanery plays the lead role of David, and the other cast members include Katie Carey, Maia Newell-Large, Melody Deatherage, Brad Fondiler, Janean Jay and Laurie Fondiler.

The show runs Friday and Saturday and continues May 24-26, 31, June 1-2 and 7-8.

All shows are at 8 p.m. except Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for students and seniors.

THE ACT is at 425 N. Evergreen in the Valley. Call 921-1706 for reservations.

‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’

Eastern Washington University presents Shakespeare’s magical tale of love beginning Friday at the University Theater on the Cheney campus.

The play features Danny Caldwell as Puck and is directed by theater professor Gene Engene.

Performances are Friday, Saturday and May 21-25. All shows are at 8 p.m., except a 2 p.m. matinee on May 22.

Tickets are $5, with EWU students and one guest admitted free. Call 359-6400 for tickets or information.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color photo