Mr. Confidential is the story of a family magazine publisher who turns to the gossip rag trade (inventing or perfecting it?). He runs scathing stories, slides right down the line of truth and honesty and quite literally captures the American public at a time they had nothing similar.
Kevin Spirtas is perhaps a bit lackluster yet still entertaining in his performance as Bob Harrison. Erin Leigh Peck is possibly the show-stealing character as Marjorie with her powerful voice and tough acting chops! Amy Bodnar is divine as the ditsy and lovable Jeannie. Michael Marotta aptly portrays the journalist Walter Winchell with his deep and rich radio voice.
With an ensemble that includes James La Rosa, Willie Falk, Alina Watters, and Joshua Dixon, this show is poised for a next step toward a commercial run. The music is peppy and memorable in that big-band/swing dance kind of way and while the story does need a little trimming (especially that courtroom scene) I could see a snappier version of this show running at New World Stages or on Theatre Row at the Acorn, Clurman, or Beckett. The allure and mystery of that era could even propel this one to Broadway after some tweaks, improvements, adjustments - and the addition of a star or two. Think After Midnight and you'll get the idea of what's possible. TMZ and Gawker would not be what they are today without Mr. Confidential and his magazine.