By: Darryl Reilly
“It’s always about pogroms!” cracks a Jewish grandmother in the ravishing 1969-set Off-Broadway musical A Walk on the Moon. This is an absorbing stage adaptation of the same-titled Tony Goldwyn-directed 1999 film which starred Diane Lane, Viggo Mortensen, and Liev Schrieber. Its screenwriter Pamela Gray wrote the faithful and pungent book which preserves her affective characters, poignant plot, and unabashed ethnic milieu. Mahjong is played, Betty Frieden is cited, a brisket is pivotal, the historic moon landing incites euphoria, and the Woodstock rock concert is climactic.
Sex on their first date caused teenaged Brooklynites Marty and Pearl Kantrowitz to get married after she got pregnant. He had to give up his dreams of being a scientist and instead became a downtrodden television set repairman to support their family. This now includes their feisty 15-year-old daughter, a nine-year son, and his formidable psychic mother. Her presence is necessary as her husband walked out long ago. Pearl appears resolute but like a lot of young, trapped women of that era begins to existentially question her existence.
As was the custom of the time, many working-class Jewish New York City families summered at low budget Catskills bungalow colonies to escape the heat and enjoy a bucolic respite from urbanity. The husbands worked in the city during the week and joined their families after long car journeys on weekends.
The bungalow colony’s “Blouse Man,” a traveling merchant of women’s wear has retired. His successor is the hunky, personable, and youthful Walker Jerome. All the women visitors swoon over him. He banters with Pearl and gifts her a tie-dyed top. Sparks fly and they soon have an affair; this is the crux of A Walk on the Moon.
Composer and lyricist AnnMarie Milazzo’s zesty score with additional lyrics by Ms. Gray is a grand amalgam of 1960’s-type pop melodies and precise impactful lyrics. The opening introductory pageant-style number “The Summer of All Summers” is representative of the show’s superior musical achievement.
Sunny Talia Suskauer is towering as Pearl. Ms. Suskauer’s soaring voice, beaming presence, and emotionalism all inform her supreme characterization. With his everyman charm Max Chernin is ingratiating as the melancholic and stalwart Marty. The lean, animated, and magnetic Sam Gravitte is soulful as Walker. New York stage veteran Andréa Burns mines all the comedy and pathos possible as Lillian, Marty’s wise mother.
Vivacious Sophie Pollono offers a lovely portrait of adolescent angst as the teenaged daughter Allison. Boyish and spirited Oscar Williams does an appealing turn as the Joni Mitchell-quoting free-spirited youth she falls for. The sparkling ensemble is completed by Andrew Faria, David R. Gordon, Megan Kane, Caroline Pernick, Becca Suskauer, and Michael Tacconi. At the performance under review Leo Caravano played the nine-year-old son Danny with verve; he rotates in the role with Reid Gardner Clarke.
Tovah Feldshuh appears via occasional hilarious recorded voice over bits as the wife of the bungalow colony’s owner delivering social announcements such as a knish sale. “Buy two potato knishes and get a kasha one for free!”
Director Sheryl Kaller’s physical staging is picturesque and contains momentum. Josh Prince’s energetic choreography is wonderfully retro. Scenic and video designer Tal Yarden impressively conjures the place and time through forestial components, basic furnishings, and bungalow exteriors. Robert Wierzel’s muted lighting design casts a vintage sheen. Sound designer Justin Stasiw renders the music and effects with gusto. Ricky Lurie’s costume design truly and colorfully replicates some wild 1960’s fashions.
A Walk on the Moon is a thoughtful entertainment authentically rooted in Jewish American cultural history.
A Walk on the Moon (through August 22, 2026)
Laura Pels Theatre at the Harold and Miriam Steinberg Center for Theatre, 111 West 46 Street, in Manhattan
For tickets, visit www.awalkonthemoonmusical.com
Running time: two hours and 10 minutes including one intermission