Tattle Tales

IF YOU LOVE THE MUSIC OF GEORGE GERSHWIN, you’ll flip for "American Rhapsody," the new musical revue at The Triad Theatre (158 West 72nd St., Manhattan) that serves as a celebration of the songs of George and his lyricist brother, Ira. At the Triad since Nov. 10th, following several weeks of previews, the show has been a near sell-out ever since. With a small cast of two, starring talented pianist–singer Mark Nadler and the equally gifted, pretty blonde singer, K.T. Sullivan, the overhead is low and the press acclaim has been high. Judging by the full house of vociferous theater goers the night I was there, a long run, in keeping with the encomiastic reviews, is in prospect.

This tribute to the Gershwins presents over 80 of their collaborative efforts, including such standards as "I Got Rhythm," "Lady Be Good" and "The Man I Love," along with excerpts from the monumental "Rhapsody In Blue" and the opera "Porgy And Bess." It’s no wonder the first-night critics were inspired to emit such raves as: "A Fabulous Show!" (Midge Woolsey, New York Times Radio), "A Cabaret Style Toast To The Gershwins (Stephen Holden, New York Times) and "Profoundly Vital And Heady" (The Village Voice).

Herewith several more of the Gershwin golden oldies, which will titillate your aesthetic senses if you visit the Triad: "Embraceable You," "But Not For Me," "Love Is Here to Stay" and "Isn’t It A Pity." And those are just in the first act.

The show’s prime assets have to be the performers, Nadler and Sullivan. The former is very gifted indeed. Not only a fine pianist, he’s also an excellent singer and actor and a tap dancer as well. His best work is at the keyboard, which he dominates with crashing chords and mellifluous arpeggios. Some of the pianistics, though, could benefit from a more subdued technique, particularly on "Embraceable You." cohort Sullivan has her best moments when she warbles "But Not For Me" and "The Man I Love." A fitting finish for the evening is when they duet, with Nadler & Sullivan on "Swanee" (the song that launched George’s career when he sold it to Al Jolson) and "Who Cares."

All in all, a show that deserves to be moved to Broadway as during his far too short life (George Gershwin died too soon at 38), the composer’s music dominated the Broadway musical stage. That’s where they should be performing his work now.

NO OBSCENITY AND LITTLE VIOLENCE: Those are the pluses of "Unbreakable," the new Bruce Willis movie playing in two auditoriums at the College Point Multiplex in Whitestone, which I saw over the weekend. Also, this is a kinetic superthriller followup for Willis to his "The Sixth Sense." In the new effort, he is an omnipotent, unbreakable hero, whom we meet when he emerges as the sole survivor of a horrendous train wreck. Next to appear is a mysterious stranger (Samuel L. Jackson), who starts to ask disturbing questions of Willis. This almost Hitchcockian thriller could be in line for a Best Picture Oscar nomination next month.