Theatre Guild gets ‘Wholesale’

“Who the hell is Harry Bogen?” This query emerges early in “I Can Get It for You Wholesale.” And by the finale of Harold Rome and Jerome Weidman’s 1962 dissection of New York’s Garment District, everyone has reason to wonder, including Harry.

Technically, he is the protagonist of “Wholesale,” based on Weidman’s 1937 novel of the sweatshops. Yet, as Monday’s compelling concert rendition by Musical Theatre Guild made clear, “Wholesale” is pure ensemble piece in its characters and its evocation of a culture.

It opens with strike-stricken Maurice Pulvermacher (Paul Keith), who lays out the Jewish Depression-era syntax in “I’m Not a Well Man.” His secretary, the ubiquitous Miss Marmelstein (Bets Malone), concurs. Enter union-bucking Harry (Randy Kravis), to begin “Wholesale’s” shell game.

Harry’s ambitious talent is devoid of scruples, as his sly “The Way Things Are” makes clear. He orchestrates a meeting with childhood flame Ruthie Rivkin (Eydie Alyson). Harry then lures designer Meyer Bushkin (Ira Denmark) and Pulvermacher’s staff to his own enterprise, bringing cagey Teddy Asche (Joshua Finkel) aboard. Crucially, Harry dallies with showgirl Martha Mills (Jennifer Mathews), charging her keep to his firm’s books.

One person pierces Harry’s heart: his prototypical mother (Marsha Kramer). Among Weidman’s ironies is that only Mrs. Bogen sees beneath Harry’s surface. But she succumbs to denial when he layers her with furs, just as Harry’s bar mitzvah party for Sheldon Bushkin (Aaron Spann) overwhelms Meyer and wife Blanche (Lisa Picotte).

Harry finally overplays his hand, although Meyer faces the jail term Harry deserves. In a climax approaching Paddy Chayefsky, the son rationalizes to his mother. She urges him to “Eat a Little Something,” while revealing the source that spawned the monster.

“Wholesale” originally ended here, but Philadelphia tryout audiences were appalled, resulting in an appended upbeat resolution. Still, dark social awareness permeates “Wholesale,” even in its blithest moments. Director Lewis Wilkenfeld and choreographer Lee Martino variously recall Mark Blitzstein, Elia Kazan and Carol Haney in their handling of Weidman’s libretto and Rome’s emblematic score. Wardrobe designer Shon LeBlanc nails period and character with peerless expertise. Music director Dan Redfeld’s jazzy band approximates Sid Ramin’s orchestrations with cohesion, the strings especially taut.

Kravis’ acute presence and crooner’s voice seem tailor-made for Harry, a role originated by Elliott Gould after Laurence Harvey withdrew. Kravis strikes sparks with the wonderful Alyson, her soaring vulnerability spot-on in “Who Knows.” Kramer’s Mrs. Bogen proves vastly affecting, Mae Questel meets Julie Walters. The clarion-voiced Malone is spectacular in the part that launched Barbra Streisand, stopping the show with “Miss Marmelstein,” hair-raising at “What Are They Doing to Us Now?”

Denmark and Picotte make the Bushkins’ decency completely believable.

Finkel and Mathews are excellent; Spann’s unmannered cameo is refreshing; Keith is a treasure. Cat Halzle, Scott Harlan, Noemy Hernandez, Stephen Kaplan, Alistair Tober and Virginia Weber complete a uniform ensemble.

On Monday, the drawbacks -- excess of book, unsavory antihero, bitter aftertaste -- felt less critical than the stylistic control. When an onstage character asked if Harry could be trusted, one attendee blurted out, “No!” Such gripping assurance signifies MTG’s commitment, and typifies “Wholesale.”

*

‘I Can Get It for You Wholesale’

Where: Janet and Ray Scherr Forum Theatre, Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza

When: Sunday, 2:30 and 7:30 p.m.

Ends: Sunday

Price: $38

Contact: (805) 583-8700

Running time: 2 hours, 15 minutes