Lysistrata Jones

I snuck in one more Broadway show before 2011's end: the new musical Lysistrata Jones.

Loosely based on the Greek play Lysistrata by Aristophanes, this musical by Lewis Flinn (music and lyrics) and Douglas Carter Beane (book) originally premiered under the title Give It Up! in Dallas in 2010 and ran Off-Broadway earlier in 2011. It follows spunky transfer student Lysistrata Jones at the modern-day Athens University, and her mission to withhold sex from the men of the basketball team until they break their losing streak.

The best part of Lysistrata Jones was its young cast, all of whom seemed excited dedicated to performing this piece eight times a week. Patti Murin was delightfully bubbly as Lyssie J., and her belt-it-out performance of the first act finale was one of the highlights of the show. Lindsay Nicole Chambers was hilarious as activist/poet Robin, and Jason Tam was also great as Lysistrata's geeky friend (and basketball mascot) Xander.

The score was appropriately fun and upbeat, but I did feel that a lot of the songs were about the same subject (the girls refusing to give themselves up to the boys). The best numbers in the show were "You Go Your Way," "Where Am I Now?," and the finale, "Give It Up." Beane's book was a lot of fun; I was satisfied with the way he included a message about being yourself without bogging down the humor or making the musical seem too cliched.

I really liked the basketball court set, and loved the lighting during the finales of both acts. I also liked the moments in the show (the opening number and the "Right Now Operetta") when the cast used the aisles in addition to the stage. And the choreography was probably the best part of the show.

Overall, Lysistrata Jones wasn't anything to write home about, but it was a fun afternoon at the theatre with some great performances by Broadway's up-and-coming performers. Definitely worth a visit.