Manliness scans differently for women than it does for men.
To their credit, the creators of Real Men The Musical, Paul Louis and Nick Santa Maria, who also star, are aware of these differences. This does not keep them, along with co-star Stephen G. Anthony, from tripping over the divide between mensch and macho.
Real Men, scheduled to play at New World Stages weekends through January 2nd, puts a distinctly manful spin on the subject. Above all, this is entertainment totally lacking in subtlety. Listening to some of the sketches may make you yearn for “Take my wife, please” jokes, not that Nick, Pauly and Steve are not very talented.
Steve is an excellent mimic; especially so when he sings in a country-style, or does an Elvis-like song called “Every Woman Loves.” Nick really shines in “Being Young” where he gets to channel his inner Jonathan Winters. In perhaps the only nod to sensitivity and sentimentality in Real Men, Paul Louis sings the tender “I Do.”
Speaking of signing there are loads of very pleasant musical numbers, arranged by Manny Shvartzman and conducted by Martin Landry, with Brian Radock on drums, in Real Men; the musical staging is by director David Arisco.
For more information about Real Men The Musical, please visit
http://www.realmenthemusical.com/
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