A Good Swift Kick, the Off-Broadway revue of modern-life foibles by songwriter John Forster, had a swift demise, closing Aug. 8 at the Variety Arts after 19 previews and 13 performances.

Formerly called Both Barrels, with a pedigree from Connecticut's Goodspeed Opera House, the musical began previews July 13 and opened July 29. The revue was not widely embraced by critics.

The cast featured David Naughton ("An American Werewolf in London"), Wanda Houston, Jim Newman (Big), D'Monroe and Elisa Surmont.

The revue played Goodspeed's second space at the Norma Terris Theatre in Chester, CT, in May 1999.

Forster, who wrote both the music and lyrics for the revue, is best known for the book and lyrics to the Mary Rodgers musical Freaky Friday. Recently he was nominated for a Grammy Award as co-producer of Tom Chapin's children's album "In My Hometown." Kick was described as "20 miniature musical plays" poking fun at a variety of societal topics. Paul Kreppel directed, with Steve Orich acting as musical director.

-- By Kenneth Jones
and Robert Simonson