THE LEGACY OF TWO BY TWO

Danny Kaye and Richard Rodgers

By Jim Watson

It hasn’t been played that much in recent times, and the original story has been told in different ways through movies and miniseries, but the original concept of Two By Two has an interesting history. Most people familiar with theater and song know who Danny Kaye was, and definitely the same people know who Richard Rodgers was, but the story of the original production written to mirror The Flowering Peach is not well known.

Telling any tale about Noah and the Ark brings about some controversy, both religious and literary, but the telling of this ancient story in a musical form is daring and challenging. Of course, someone of the ability of Richard Rodgers, of the Rodgers and Hammerstein and Rodgers and Hart fame, would not necessarily be unwilling of the feat. The choice of Danny Kaye to play Noah was an act of genius, but Rodgers was unaware at first that Kaye did not like the script. Written in 1954, the story had contemporary themes all through its form, with twists through the environment and nuclear concerns. The show began to run in 1970, an era where political debate was heated between generations. He began to ad-lib, causing opinions to form on positive and negative sides. Some liked the comic form of Danny Kaye’s adapting, and others felt that it was completely unprofessional of him.

Either way, the show did very well, attracting those curious to see the talents of Kaye the star. Others in the show also helped draw, with Madeline Kahn and Tricia O’Neil contributing. Eventually the show ran its path and by the 1980’s had lost its luster.

Several revivals were attempted, with mixed results. Milton Berle tried it, and Jason Alexander, who has been involved in many different musical shows, also tried it, most recently in the early 2000’s, but to attempt it on the small stage is a creative feat. Just imagining the props and logistics of animals two by two, where the tale gets its name, is one worth experimenting with.

Two By Two runs the next three Fridays and Saturdays here at Comtra, starting at 7:30pm. Cost is $15.00 per person. Come see the ancient story of Noah and his family in the round.