David Stong, Marc Platt, James L. Nederlander, Barbara Whitman, Patrick Catullo
Marcia Goldberg, Universal Stage Productions, Independent Presenters Network and Goodman Theatre
Present

WAR PAINT

Book by DOUG WRIGHT
Music by SCOTT FRANKEL
Lyrics by MICHAEL KORIE
Starring
PATTI LUPONE, CHRISTINE EBERSOL, JOHN DOSSETT and DOUGLAS SILLS
Directed by MICHAEL GREIF
Choreography: CHRISTOPHER GATTELLI
Music Direction: LAWRENCE YURMAN
Orchestration: BRUCE COUGHLIN

WAR PAINT is the story of the ongoing competition between Makeup Queens Helena Rubinstein (Patti Lupone) and Elizabeth Arden (Christine Ebersole). Set in New York City, it chronicles the rise of the ladies’ empires, their challenges and triumphs, and their personal dramas.

Can Lupone and Ebersole belt out a song? You bet! Even though Lupone chooses to use an accent that is occasionally undecipherable, you can’t deny her vocal power. Is this a story worth telling? Affirmative. Is this a play that can’t be missed? Uh, no. There is nothing outstanding about WAR PAINT. It has all the elements of success and yet it misses the mark. The music is not memorable; the performances lack luster; even the costumes are not that impressive. The sets are interesting but not worth the cost of a ticket. Too bad, definitely an opportunity missed.

- Laurie Lawson -