(rated PG)
Shelved for five years, this adaptation of the Off Broadway musical mainstay finally dances its way onto the big screen and will probably sway right over to a video shelf. Two-welling meaning fathers (Joel Grey and Brad Sullivan), devise a scheme to spark a romance between their two children (Joe McIntyre and Jean Louisa Kelly). When a traveling carnival mysteriously appears in town, they enlist the aid of the grand illusionist, El Gallo (Jonathon Morris), and what follows transforms the lives of the two innocent lovers and their parents forever. The story is Midwest, circa 1920 and includes such memorable songs as “Try To Remember.” The problem is if Kenneth Brannaugh couldn’t pull this type of musical flick off (“Love’s Labour’s Lost”), Joel Grey can’t either. Of course we adored “Love’s Labour’s Lost” but it got lost quickly in the summer blockbuster shuffle. Oh, and Joey McIntyre is cute and talented but really mustn’t quit his day job (former “New Kid On The Block” gone solo.)
