EMMA

Trapped within the garden maze that is the set of Emma, the new musical at The Old Globe in San Diego, is a charming musical but director Jeff Calhoun isn't talented enough to find it.  Every once in a while one of the actots tries something and the show glimmers despite of Calhoun's uninventive staging.  I admit I am not a fan of his and as usual he does nothing here, like most of his staging he just has people stand and sing, constricting any real action or emotion.  Most of the actors are very capable and have some moments but are kept down by the lack of creative directing.  There is so much upstaging & distraction onstage I don't know how he keeps working!  The music has some pretty melodies but the structure of the songs never go anywhere keeping it from ever soaring.  With a real director Emma could be a funny romantic show.