I’m late to the game (and late to posting), but I have to say: I really liked this one.

I Can Get It for You Wholesale is a rarely-performed 1960s musical best known for being dubbed as “too dark for Broadway” and as the vehicle that launched Barbra Streisand’s career. Based on that description alone, I was intrigued, but the real selling point was the truly stellar cast in Classic Stage Company’s production. Santino Fontana, Joy Woods, Julia Lester, Judy Kuhn…take it from a theatre nerd – this cast is insane.

The musical is about a young businessman named Harry Bogen (Santino Fontana) and his relentless pursuit of success. The plot is very similar to that of “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying,” except the lead is morally dubious. Though I was not too familiar with Wholesale going into it, from what I could gather online, the creative team of this production leaned into the dark aspects of the show, changing the ending to make it even more ominous. I’m a fan.

What’s truly special about this show, though, is the use of the theatre space to create a near-immersive experience. Classic Stage Company’s intimate theatre behind a coffee shop is one of my favourites I’ve ever been to. The seats are so close to the stage that people in the front row can reach out and touch the actors (don’t do that, though). I actually did sit in the front row, and we had to keep our feet tucked in so that the actors wouldn’t trip. Very cool. Director Tripp Cullman used the space very well, utilizing every corner of the stage and changing up the layout from scene-to-scene. The staging felt dynamic and interesting, and I never knew what to expect.

Here’s the part of the blog where I discuss what other people have said about this show, and why I disagree (lol). Some reviewers thought the pacing was slow – I didn’t think so. It’s a full 2.5-hour show, but it didn’t feel too long to me. I also read online that some people felt the tone was off, as if the show didn’t know whether to be a comedy or a tragedy. I liked how the show initially came across as light and fun, masking the more sinister plot points until they’re gradually and dramatically revealed. It made it all the more heartbreaking. It worked for me.

Regarding the STACKED cast, here are my standout performers:

• Julia Lester as Barbra Streisand’s original role, Miss Marmelstein – I tip my hat to you, Julia. What a voice, what a presence, what comedic chops. Love love love. Stole the show.
• Santino Fontana as Harry Bogen – charming, poised, pitch-perfect.
• Joy Woods as Martha Mills – Joy Woods is a star. No further comments.
• Judy Kuhn as Harry’s mother, Mrs. Bogen – yes, singing voice of Disney’s Pocahontas, please play my 1930s Jewish mother.

The cast is filled with big Broadway names. It’s honestly worth the ticket price just to see them all in the room together, let alone singing and dancing.

Wholesale is closing in 2 days (sorry), but if you can make it out to Union Square over the weekend, I’d recommend this one.

I Can Get It for You Wholesale is playing at the Lynn F. Angelson Theater until Dec. 17, 2023. You can purchase tickets here.

Featured image: Santino Fontana; by Julieta Cervantes