Page 20 THE VILLADOM TIMES I & III • October 16, 2013 Paper Mill presents ‘Honeymoon in Vegas’ by Dennis Seuling “Honeymoon in Vegas,” the first production of Paper Mill Playhouse’s 2013-14 season, is a lush musical based on the 1992 movie celebrating romance, the lure of the gambling mecca, the gentle seduction of Hawaii, and sen- timental gangsters. Playing now through Oct. 27, it is a razzle-dazzle season opener. Jack Singer (Rob McClure) has an intense fear of com- mitment. He sincerely loves his girlfriend, Betsy (Brynn O’Malley), but even after five years of togetherness cannot summon the courage to propose to her. The problem stems from a selfish, dying wish of his mother, Bea (Nancy Opel). Just as Jack has overcome his phobia and whisked the delighted Betsy away for a wedding in Las Vegas, she catches the eye of widowed big-time gambler Tommy Korman (Tony Danza). The aging Tommy still idolizes his late wife, and Betsy bears a striking resemblance to her. Tommy regards Betsy and Jack’s plan to wed that very night as a minor inconvenience, and sets out to win her. The simmering romantic triangle is complicated by a high-stakes poker game during which Jack loses big time. Owing Tommy more money than he can ever repay, Jack makes a deal that will undermine his relationship with Betsy and take him to Hawaii. “Honeymoon in Vegas” sparkles with outstanding per- formances. McClure (Broadway’s “Chaplin”), the center- piece of the show, is the poor schnook who is sympathetic because he is torn between wanting Betsy and feeling trapped by his late mother’s last wish -- that he remain unmarried all his life. There is solid chemistry between McClure and O’Malley, as the spunky, intelligent, yet Tony Danza (Tommy), Rob McClure (Jack) and the company of ‘Honeymoon in Vegas.’ vulnerable woman. McClure belts out “I Love Betsy,” the show’s first song, earnestly and enthusiastically. He then goes on to convince the audience why Jack can’t bring him- self to ask the Big Question. Danza is the real surprise. His comic talents are known from his years on the hit TV sitcom “Taxi,” but his singing ability is a revelation. His rough-edged baritone infuses his (continued on Crossword page)