| Panning is one way to put it, rambling. The link at the bottom will give you free access to the Daily News article for a limited time. So here is the text if you can't still access it. 'Times' is a-shortchangin'the audience
No one can say that Twyla Tharp doesn't take risks. She used Billy Joel songs as a backdrop for her choreography and, against the odds, turned "Movin' Out" into an exuberant, athletic pop ballet that ran three years on Broadway. Now she takes on Bob Dylan in "The Times They Are A-Changin,'" which she conceived, choreographed and directs. Tharp ups the ante in light of Dylan's stature (an icon to all and "God" to many) and the nontheatricality of his music. A long shot. Unfortunately, Tharp sabotages herself this time. She makes dance secondary and concentrates on the music. The result is a standard-issue jukebox show (he sings; she sings; they sing; repeat) set in a shabby circus dreamworld (who knows why?). Tharp's clown car runs out of gas an hour into the show's 90-minute length, which is strange, since Dylan is such a provocative and infinitely soulful songwriter. "The Times" covers some two dozen loosely connected tunes, including familiar ones like the title song, "Simple Twist of Fate," "Blowin' in the Wind," "Lay, Lady, Lay" and the less familiar "Not Dark Yet." It holds limited appeal for Dylan disciples as well as for Broadway audiences seeking a sense of wonder, cohesion or emotion. There are lots of acrobatics and trampoline tricks, if that's your thing. Santo Loquasto's set and costumes are an eyeful. Donald Holder's lighting is dramatic. The story, such as it is, revolves around a power struggle/love triangle. Thom Sesma plays the sadistic circus owner; Michael Arden is his wide-eyed son; Lisa Brescia is a runaway torn between them. Guess who gets the girl. The leads are fine singers and, aided by the energetic ensemble, do their best to perform in the odd tableaux Tharp has come up with. Arden sings "Mr. Tambourine Man" while perched high in the air on a crescent moon as a man dances on the stage. "Like a Rolling Stone" finds clowns bouncing around on gym balls. "Man Gave Names to All the Animals" includes actors cavorting in sheep and cow costumes. My thoughts during this number - and about a pesky guy dressed as a dog that constantly runs around the stage - would get me in big trouble with PETA. Everyone dreams about running away and joining the circus. It's too bad Tharp couldn't resist the urge. Brooks Atkinson Theatre, 256 W. 47th St. | 
