Stephen Sondheim’s spirit hangs heavy over “A Second Chance.” One character calls the composer “one of my heroes.” And a program note from playwright Ted Shen even thanks him. An apology would be more in order.
This mostly sung-through musical about middle-aged New Yorkers with enough emotional baggage to fill a jumbo jet, has over 20 songs, none of them remotely memorable.
It does, however, feature genuine chemistry between the leads, Brian Sutherland and Diane Sutherland. Not surprising, since they’re married in real life.
Sadly, their earnest efforts fail to lift this vanity project above the level of a therapy session, though we’re treated to two of those, too.
The story concerns a widower and divorcée who, over seven months — which seem to take place in real time — overcome their defenses, bonding while touring art museums and discussing the merits of the Pete Campbell character on “Mad Men.”
As nice as it is to see mature folks fall in love, “A Second Chance” — for all its songs — is still nothing to sing about.