Lucky Stiff, from director Christopher Ashley, is a hard sell. It’s a dark comedic adaptation of an off-off broadway musical, from the creative team who would go on to create Ragtime. The musical numbers and between scene animations derail the normal slice-of-life grittiness that carries a lot of dark comedies, however, while the musical numbers are not intricate or tuneful enough to eradicate the criticisms usually leveled at musical theater. Critics of either dark comedies or musical theater should turn their attention elsewhere for an evening’s entertainment, as Lucky Stiff is unlikely to create new converts. But it is not without its charms.

Lucky Stiff revolves around Harry Witherspoon, played by the charismatic Dominic Marsh, who plays a down-and-out shoe salesman. Witherspoon’s luck is about to change, as he receives a windfall inheritance from an unknown relative, his late Uncle Anthony, provided he completes Uncle Anthony’s last request.

Uncle Anthony wants one final adventure, even if it is post-mortem. Harry must Uncle Anthony’s stuffed corpse to Monte Carlo to collect the $6 million dollar inheritance, completing every item on a detailed itinerary. If he doesn’t, the inheritance will go to the dogs, quite literally – Uncle Anthony’s inheritance will be donated to a rescue shelter in New York.

Harry realizes he is being tailed, by the mild-mannered and unassuming Annabel Glick, played by the quiet but capable Nikki M. James, who will stop at nothing to make sure that the canines in need get that money.

Meanwhile, in New York, a near-sighted moll named Rita, played by the hilarious Pamela Shaw, finds out about Harry and his unlikely quest. Turns out that Rita accidentally killed Uncle Anthony, after embezzling $6 million in diamonds from her casino-owner husband. She’s got to get those diamonds, or she’ll be as stuffed as Uncle Anthony! Looking for back-up, she enlists the aid of her optometrist brother Vinnie, played by Lucky Stiff’s biggest star, Jason Alexander. Rita told her husband that it was Vinnie who stole the diamonds. Now all their skins are on the line and it’s off to the French Riviera for them all.

This sets off a series of wacky hijinks, as Harry gets the vacation he’s always dreamed of and Ms. Glick tries to balk him every step of the way. Meanwhile, Rita and Vinnie are closing in, practicing every form of subterfuge to get close to the diamonds.

Things get interesting, with a twist that nobody would expect, bringing things to a somewhat satisfying conclusion for everybody.

Lucky Stiff has been much maligned by critics, with some considering it overwrought community theater, but this isn’t the whole story. Enjoyment of Lucky Stiff is contingent on how much you’re predisposed to enjoy musical theater. Even then, the music is not exceptional, full of non-melodic hooks and clumsy lyrics shoehorned into schmaltzy Tin Pan Alley showtunes.

Even though this isn’t supposed to be criteria for just criticism, what ultimately makes Lucky Stiff work is the characters. I found Harry Witherspoon and Annabel Glick to be likable and relatable protagonists, and the unavoidable love interest that sparks between them to be sweet and realistic. And even though haters have been heaping scorn, I found Pamela Shaw and Jason Alexander’s bumbling villains to be utterly hilarious, pulling the action forward and keeping things from getting dull.

Admittedly, I’m not the biggest fan of musical theater, and had to labor a bit to get into Lucky Stiff, but past the first ten minutes, I found the story to be compelling, with its 78 minutes gone in the blink of an eyelash.

If you’re looking for a bit of light fun about a corpse playing roulette, or a loser shoe salesman learning to love dogs, you’re in for a treat! And if you love musical theater, but can’t get away as often as you like, here’s your chance to see what is sure to be a forgotten gem!

CONCLUSION: Lucky Stiff is a zany musical comedy that is a little bit Bond; a smidgen of Sondheim; and a dash Weekend At Bernie’s – making for an unlikely and unstable concoction.

C+

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