A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder at the Terrace Plaza Playhouse

There was a time when A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder was the show that I most wanted to see so, even though I have now been to productions at just about every Utah theatre (with another one scheduled this summer), I was still really excited to see it again at the Terrace Plaza Playhouse last night because it is so hilarious. Some shows are better than others at this theatre and this is one of the best I've seen there! I absolutely loved it. After his mother dies, Monty Navarro (Joe Robinson) learns from one of her friends, Miss Shingle (Melissa Trenery), that she was part of the illustrious D'Ysquith Family (Scot D. Struble) and was disinherited for marrying his father. He is really Montague D'Ysquith Navarro and he is in line to inherit the earldom (there are only eight family members ahead of him). When his vain and heartless girlfriend Sibella (Karlie Ady) decides to marry the rich and handsome Lionel Holland, Monty decides to kill every family member ahead of him in the line of succession in order to become the earl and win her back. While in prison awaiting trial for the murder of the only D'Ysquith for which he is not actually guilty, he begins writing his memoirs detailing how the Reverend Lord Ezekial D'Ysquith fell from the tower of his cathedral, how Asquith D'Ysquith, Jr. fell through the ice in a skating accident, how Henry D'Ysquith was stung by a swarm of his own bees, how Lady Hyacinth D'Ysquith was presumed dead on a philanthropic mission to a tribe of cannibals, how Major Lord Bartholomew D'Ysquith was decapitated while lifting weights, how Lady Salome D'Ysquith Pomphrey was killed by real bullets in a prop gun during her debut in Hedda Gabler, how Lord Asquith D'Ysquith, Sr. was driven to a heart attack by all of the family tragedies, and how Lord Adalbert D'Ysquith, the Earl of Highurst, was poisoned. He also details the relationship he began with Phoebe D'Ysquith (Jordyn Tracy) to make Sibella jealous. The charges are dismissed when Phoebe and Sibella each give proof that the other committed the murder but Monty might not live happily every after because Chauncey D'Ysquith, the next in line to the earldom, is lurking! This show features lots of madcap physical comedy and some really fun songs (my favorites are "Better With a Man" by the flamboyant Henry, "Lady Hyacinth Abroad" by the socially conscious Hyacinth, and "I've Decided to Marry You" by the lovestruck Phoebe). Robinson, Ady, and Tracy have beautiful voices but I especially loved Struble's performance because he is brilliant with distinct characterizations for each member of the D'Ysquith Family and I laughed out loud at all of his antics (this theatre is very intimate so I could see all of his facial expressions). Unlike other productions I have seen, this one has a very minimal set with just a few pieces moved on and off stage by the ensemble but this works because the projections and moving panels used as backdrops are fantastic.  The staging is extremely clever, especially when Monty tries to keep Sibella and Phoebe apart in different rooms at his flat and when the portraits at Highurst Castle sing. Finally, the beautiful period costumes are some of the best I've seen at this theatre and I particularly loved the gowns worn by Sibella and Phoebe at Highurst Castle. This is one show that you don't want to miss (go here for tickets). It runs on Mondays, Fridays, and Saturdays through May 31.

The Pajama Game at the Terrace Plaza Playhouse

I had never seen the musical The Pajama Game before so I was really excited to attend a production at the Terrace Plaza Playhouse last night. It is a fun old-fashioned show with lots of songs that I recognized. Romance is in the air at the Sleep-Tite Pajama Factory in Cedar Rapids, Iowa but things really heat up when a new Superintendent named Sid Sorokin (Nick Balaich) falls for the leader of the union grievance committee Katherine "Babe" Williams (Clarissa Wykstra). They fall in love but their relationship is tested when Mr. Hasler (Spencer Stevens), the owner of the factory, refuses to give the workers a 7 1/2 cent raise and they find themselves on opposite sides of the dispute. Even though the story takes place in the 1950s, the issues are still just as relevant today and I liked that compromise is used to settle the conflict between management and labor as well as the one between the sexes (although some of the characters behave in ways that are very dated and problematic). I can't decide if it is the dialogue that is stilted or if it is the delivery but sometimes the pacing is very sluggish, particularly a scene that is so awkward it made me think that the actors were ad-libbing in order to stall long enough for a costume change that took longer than usual. However, the actors really shine during the big song and dance numbers. Balaich has a beautiful tenor voice and his performance of "Hey There" (one of the songs I immediately recognized) is incredibly touching and it was the highlight of the show for me, Wykstra is confident and sassy, especially in the song "I'm Not At All in Love," and the two of them are perfect foils to each other in the delightful "Small Talk" and "There Once Was a Man" (the other song I recognized). The ensemble do a fantastic job with the energetic choreography in "Once a Year Day," "Think of the Time I Save," and "7 1/2 Cents" and these numbers are so fun to watch. I also really loved "Racing With the Clock," especially when it is slowed down in the reprise to mimic the slow down in production, the Fosse-inspired "Steam Heat" because it is dazzling, and the sultry "Hernando's Hideaway" because the choreography is so dynamic (the lighting design is very effective in this number). The set and costumes are colorful and nostalgic and I especially loved the retro sewing machines and all of the pajamas during the bows. While there are issues, the cast is enthusiastic and the show is very entertaining. It runs on Mondays, Fridays, and Saturdays through April 5 (go here for tickets).

Titanic The Musical at the Terrace Plaza Playhouse

I loved HCT's production of Titanic The Musical so much I saw it twice! I was, therefore, really intrigued by the concert edition of this show now being performed at the Terrace Plaza Playhouse. I saw it last night and, while it doesn't have the same technical wizardry as HCT's version, it is beautiful and very moving. This musical tells the story of the doomed maiden voyage of the RMS Titanic from the perspectives of the different groups on board. The White Star Line is represented by the designer Thomas Andrews, the owner J. Bruce Ismay, and the captain E.J. Smith who marvel at the ship in the song "The Largest Moving Object." The crew is represented by a stoker named Fred Barrett, the lookout Frederick Fleet, and the telegraph operator Harold Bride who are in awe of it in the song "Ship of Dreams." The third class passengers are represented by Kate McGowan, Kate Murphey, Kate Mullins, and Jim Farrell who are excited to be going to America for a better life in the song "Lady's Maid." The second class passengers, especially Alice Beane, are excited to mingle with the wealthy passengers aboard the ship in the song "Doing the Latest Rag." The first class passengers are represented by John Jacob Astor and his wife Madeline and Isidor Straus and his wife Ida who congratulate themselves on their success in the song "What a Remarkable Age This Is!" Ismay wants the ship to go faster to reach New York Harbor a day sooner for the publicity but that is extremely dangerous and Titanic eventually strikes an iceberg in "No Moon." When it becomes clear that the ship will sink without enough lifeboats for all of the passengers, Andrews, Ismay, and Smith accuse each other in "Blame." Only women and children are allowed on the lifeboats so the men must say goodbye to their loved ones in "We'll Meet Tomorrow." Andrews laments the errors in his design as the ship goes down in "Mr. Andrews' Vision" while the survivors on the Carpathia express hope that they will be reunited with their loved ones in "Godspeed Titanic." This is a stripped down version with a live orchestra on stage and an ensemble cast of twenty, many of whom play several parts, with minimal props (I loved the life preservers and the blankets with Carpathia stenciled on them) and costumes (the fur stoles worn by the first class passengers were my favorites) and a large screen showing actual photos of various locations on the Titanic. Cast members are located on risers behind the orchestra and move to center stage or on platforms on either side to perform the songs (although there is choreography for "Doing the Latest Rag") and I think this is very effective because the emphasis is on the music rather than an elaborate set. The sinking of the ship is not quite as dramatic but it is still powerfully conveyed through sound and lighting design. The cast is wonderful and the standouts for me were Blaine Hickman as Andrews because he is so emotional in "Blame," Cydney Hall as Bride because her physicality and facial expressions are hilarious in "The Night Was Alive," Ben Teeples as Fleet because his voice is so beautiful in "No Moon," April Beardall as Alice because she made me laugh out loud trying to elude the first class steward in "Doing the Latest Rag," and Mary Nakayu as Ida because she is heartbreaking in "Still." I was very impressed with this production and I highly recommend it (there were a lot of empty seats last night and this definitely deserves a big crowd). It runs on Mondays, Fridays, and Saturdays through February 8 (go here for tickets).

Note:  There is a wonderful display in the lobby with pictures and information about the real people on the Titanic. Make sure to check it out.

Scrooge: A Christmas Carol at the Terrace Plaza Playhouse 2024

Last night I went to the Terrace Plaza Playhouse for the third of five productions of A Christmas Carol that I have scheduled this season. This version, which is an adaptation by Beverly Olsen of the musical Scrooge with music and lyrics by Leslie Bricusse, tells the well-known story of the reclamation of Ebenezer Scrooge's soul by the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future but it is much more lighthearted and whimsical than other local productions. Scrooge (Kim Florence) is more a figure of fun who is ridiculed by everyone around him rather than feared and, even though Florence plays him as a doddering old buffoon, he does have a few poignant moments, especially his reactions when Isabelle (Lauren Bailey) leaves young Ebenezer (Jace Fawcett), when he learns the fate of Tiny Tim (Holden Cahoon), and when he realizes that everyone is celebrating his death. I really love the songs "Christmas Children" by Bob Cratchit (Brian Sears) and his children Tiny Tim and Kathy (Brooke Thompson), "December the Twenty-Fifth" by Mr. and Mrs. Fezziwig (Duane Beesley and Carla Zarate, respectively), "Happiness" by Young Ebenezer and Isabelle, and "The Beautiful Day" by Tiny Tim. I also enjoyed the spirited choreography in "Father Christmas" as the children make fun of Scrooge and "Thank You Very Much" as Tommy Jones (Brent Taft) and the rest of the debtors who owe Scrooge money dance around his coffin. I am always so impressed with how well the space on the small and intimate stage is used and this show is no exception, particularly in the opening number "Sing a Christmas Carol," because of the sheer number of townspeople involved, and as the Ghost of Christmas Present (Don Wilhelm) conducts Scrooge all around the theatre and through the audience to get to the Cratchit house and Fred's house. The sets are really impressive and bring Victorian London vividly to life with a backdrop of a cobblestone street, platforms on either side of the stage featuring Scrooge's counting house and the entrance to Scrooge's house (I love how Marley's head appears on the door knocker), and various set pieces that are moved on and off the stage (my favorites are Fezziwig's factory and the white silhouettes used to represent Scrooge's childhood). The costumes are beautiful, especially the ball gowns worn at Fred's party and the Ghost of Christmas Present's robe. However, there are several elements that deviate from the original musical and really detract from my enjoyment of this production. I do not like how Jacci Florence portrays the Ghost of Christmas Past because, to me, she seems like a deranged Sugar Plum Fairy and her shtick goes on way too long. I am also bewildered by the Ladies of the Late Afternoon (???) who dance a burlesque while stealing from Scrooge's house. This is my least favorite of all the local productions of this Christmas classic (I prefer a darker and more dramatic tone) but I love the community spirit of this theatre and I think this is perfect for families. It runs nightly (excluding Sundays) through December 23 and tickets may be purchased here.

Sister Act at the Terrace Plaza Playhouse

Last night I went to see Sister Act (which is probably my favorite musical based on a popular movie) at the Terrace Plaza Playhouse and, unfortunately, the negative experience I had watching it marred an excellent production. When Deloris Van Cartier (Olivia Lusk) accidentally witnesses her gangster boyfriend Curtis (Jacob Draper) kill someone, Detective Eddie Souther (David Simon) decides to hide her in a convent to keep her safe until she can testify against him. She wreaks havoc on the peaceful life there so, in exasperation, the Mother Superior (Melinda Cole Welch) has her sing in the choir with unexpected results. However, the choir's notoriety puts both Deloris and the convent in danger. My favorite aspect of this production is the beautiful set featuring a backdrop with Gothic arches and stained glass windows and panels that rotate to become the police station and Souther's apartment. Set pieces on each side of the stage are used for the Mother Superior's office and the sanctuary of the church while large wooden bleachers are brought on stage for "Raise Your Voice" as the nuns learn how to sing and movable chain link fence panels add a lot of fun to the song "I Could Be That Guy." Lusk is an appealing Deloris because she is sassy but also sympathetic and I loved her renditions of "Fabulous, Baby" and "Sister Act." All of the nuns (Kaylee Wheeler, Jen Petersen, Carla Zarate, Holly Lowell, Cathrine Washburn, Erin Roring, Melissa Virgin, and the rest of the ensemble) do a really great job singing and dancing in "Take Me to Heaven," "Sunday Morning Fever," and "Spread the Love Around" and I loved seeing them maintain all of their quirky mannerisms in these big numbers. My favorite nuns were Zarate as Sister Mary Lazarus because her facial expressions are hilarious and Petersen as Sister Mary Patrick because she is so over the top (I laughed out loud when she twirled her rosary). John Lee Roring, Matt Ford, and Jordan Wheeler, who play Curtis's henchmen, steal the show in "When I Find My Baby" and "Lady in the Long Black Dress" with their leisure suits and disco moves (I laughed out loud again when Roring rolled around on the stage). Another shoutout goes to David Hales as Monsignor O'Hara because it seems like he is channeling Elvis as the emcee for all of the choir's performances. The costumes are a bit more subdued than I usually see in this show but the nun's habits and the monsignor's vestments do get bedazzled for the finale. I would have really enjoyed this production were it not for the inappropriate behavior of a large group of students in attendance who were running around (one student even walked across the stage during the show), talking loudly, filming, putting their feet up on the seats in front of them, and screaming at the top of their lungs (the couple next to me started plugging their ears at the end of every number because it was so loud). I have no problem with students attending live performances (I took students all of the time when I was teaching) but they need to be reminded about theatre etiquette and monitored by their chaperones.  The only reason I did not leave at intermission is because the show is really fun and I do recommend it (go here for tickets). There are performances on Mondays, Fridays, and Saturdays through November 16.

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels at the Terrace Plaza Playhouse

I love the musical Dirty Rotten Scoundrels!  It is hilarious so it was a lot of fun to see a new production at the Terrace Plaza Playhouse last night. I was laughing so much I couldn't breathe! Lawrence Jameson (Nick Balaich), a charming and sophisticated international playboy, cons a wealthy woman named Muriel Eubanks (Melissa Trenery), who is visiting the French Riviera from Omaha, by pretending to be a prince fighting a revolution to reclaim his country. When an uncouth amateur con artist named Freddy Benson (Josh Curtis) comes to the Riviera, Jameson decides to take him under his wing to keep him from stealing his marks. When he tries to con Jolene Oaks (Janelle Wiser), an heiress from Oklahoma, he enlists Benson's help to get him out of an accidental engagement. They both take credit for the success of the plan so they bet each other that the first one to con Christine Colgate (Natalie Peterson), an heiress from Cincinnati, out of $50,000 will win and the other will leave town. Hilarity ensues when Benson pretends to be a paralyzed soldier and Jameson pretends to be a Viennese psychiatrist but who is conning whom? What makes this show so funny is all of the physical comedy and it is brilliant in this show, especially in "All About Ruprecht" and "Ruffhousin' Mit Shuffhausen." I also really enjoyed "Love is My Legs" because it is completely over the top and made me laugh out loud! The choreography is a lot of fun in the big song and dance numbers "Give Them What They Want," "Great Big Stuff," "Oklahoma," and "The More We Dance" and the ensemble does a great job with lots of highly amusing bits of business sprinkled throughout. The main cast is outstanding because Balaich is very charming and debonair with a beautiful voice and Curtis is a perfect foil to him with all of his uproarious energy and body language (he ended up in the audience, including next to me, multiple times and it was so funny). They have perfect comedic timing and great chemistry with each other. Peterson also has a beautiful voice and provides the perfect blend of innocence and guile while Wiser is incredibly flamboyant and brought the house down in "Oklahoma." However, I especially loved Trenery because her facial expressions are hilarious but she also shows a bit of vulnerability. I was really impressed with the costumes, particularly all of the tuxedos and couture gowns, and with the main set which resembles a terrace overlooking the sea. I thoroughly enjoyed this entertaining show and I highly recommend it.  There are performances on Mondays, Fridays, and Saturdays through September 21 (go here for tickets).  

The Little Mermaid at the Terrace Plaza Playhouse

I have a new favorite production at the Terrace Plaza Playhouse! Last night I saw my third and final production of The Little Mermaid this month and this one is fantastic!  Ariel (Kaylee Wheeler) is a mermaid who just wants to be where the people are so she defies her father King Triton (Sheldon Cheshire) and trades her voice to the sea witch Ursula (Olivia Lusk-Garibay) for a pair of legs and, with a little help from a crab named Sebastian (Ian Wellisch), a fish named Flounder (Grace Moore), and a seagull named Scuttle (Terran Lowe), she hopes to make Prince Eric (Drew Saddler) fall in love with her. What I loved most about this production is all of the amazing costumes and puppets because they are absolutely incredible (the best of any production I have seen including both of the ones at HCT). Ursula wears an elaborate black and purple gown with eight puffy tentacles that swirl all around her while Flotsam (Shaelynn Wright) and Jetsam (Davin Loveland) wear segmented eel puppets around their shoulders and arms (I think these were my favorites). The songs "Under the Sea" and "Kiss the Girl" feature a dazzling array of sparkling neon-colored fish and other sea creatures (I loved the multicolored coral reef headdresses and the jellyfish made from clear umbrellas) and it is quite the spectacle! Sebastian is covered from claw to claw in red sequins while Scuttle is covered in white feathers. Ariel and her sisters each have their own color with jewel encrusted gowns and mermaid tails made of organza and King Triton has regal robes of turquoise and silver. I was also impressed with all of the elaborate set pieces, including a reef that lights up in different colors as a backdrop, Prince Eric's ship located on a platform next to the stage, Ariel's grotto filled with her collection, and Ursula's lair complete with a bubbling cauldron. The staging of several of the numbers is incredibly clever, especially the portrayal of the sea when Ariel saves Eric after he falls overboard because it is so immersive as well as Ariel's final transformation because it is very dramatic, and the choreography is a lot of fun and integrates a large cast into the small space very well, especially in "Les Poissons." Finally, the cast is outstanding! Wheeler and Saddler are perfect as Ariel and Eric, respectively, but Wellisch steals the show as Sebastian because he is hilariously overwrought with facial expressions that are a hoot. I also really enjoyed the mersisters (Ginny Waldron, Shantell Eisenbarth, Aleksa Poulter, Hailey Burt, Kayli Sorenson, and Arianna Evans) because each of the characters is very distinct. This is definitely the best production I have seen at this theatre and I had so much fun watching it (as did the all of the children sitting around me). There are performances on Mondays, Fridays, and Saturdays through July 27 and I highly recommend getting a ticket (go here) to one of them!

Note:  In the "Battle of the Mermaids" this month I can't really pick a winner because I enjoyed every production for different reasons!

Fiddler on the Roof at the Terrace Plaza Playhouse

The musical Fiddler on the Roof is an old favorite of mine and I honestly don't think I will ever get tired of seeing it (I have seen it so many times I have to stop myself from singing along to every song). Last night I saw the second of three productions of this show that I have scheduled this year at the Terrace Plaza Playhouse and it was delightful. Tevye (Duane Beesley) is a poor Jewish dairyman living in the small village of Anatevka in Tsarist Russia. He and his wife Golde (Logan Peterson) cling to their traditional way of life as a protection from the harsh realities of life until their three oldest daughters, Tzeitel (Bria Snow), Hodel (Candra Young), and Chava (Daphne Dixon), push against these traditions when it is time to find a match. This show features a large ensemble cast and they are utilized very well in the small space, especially in "Tradition," "Sabbath Prayer" (I loved the different groups of families located all over the theater), "Sunrise, Sunset," and "The Rumor" (having the action move around the different areas of the stage as the rumor spreads is really effective). Not only is the ensemble used very well but they do a really good job with the choreography, particularly in "To Life" and in the wedding scene (I always love the bottle dance). There was a tiny little boy who was concentrating so hard on the choreography in "Tradition" and I overheard one of the actors on stage near me whisper, "He did it!" This is why I love community theatre! The main cast is also outstanding. Beesley is much more soft-spoken than other Tevyes that I have seen but this made his version of "Do You Love Me?" with Peterson even more endearing and his version of "Little Bird" even more heartbreaking. Peterson is one of the sassiest Goldes I've seen and her facial expressions are hilarious. Other standouts for me are Carla Lambardo Bambo as Yente, Ethan Snow as Motel, Alex Young as Perchik, and Kelsey Porter as the Fiddler (she is integrated into the story a lot more in this production). My favorite part of the show was The Dream Sequence because Fruma-Sarah (Abbie Webb) suddenly emerges from the middle of Tevye and Golde's bed. I was laughing out loud because that was exactly how I appeared when I played Fruma-Sarah and it brought back so many fun memories (one night a little old man was so shocked when I suddenly appeared that he screamed out loud). The elaborate sets for Tevye's house (interior and exterior) and barn are impressive and I also liked all of the smaller set pieces, such as the village inn, Motel's tailor shop, and the railway station, that are located on the platforms on either side of the stage. I firmly believe that seeing all of the old favorites, like Fiddler on the Roof, when I was young is why I love musical theatre to this day and I really encourage people to take advantage of all of the many opportunities to see community theatre performances in the Salt Lake area. This production runs on Mondays, Fridays, and Saturdays through June 1 (go here for tickets).

The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) at the Terrace Plaza Playhouse

I saw the hilarious show The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) at the Utah Shakespeare Festival years ago and I loved it so I was really looking forward to seeing the Terrace Plaza Playhouse's production last night. It was so much fun! A group of actors (Josh Curtis, Jenni Cooper, and Whitney Cahoon), who portray themselves and break the fourth wall to speak directly to the audience, attempt to perform all of Shakespeare's plays in 90 minutes. Hilarity ensues! They begin with a brief biography of Shakespeare, but they mistake the bard for Adolf Hitler, and then continue with the tragedies (Romeo and Juliet, which features commentary about consent, Titus Andronicus, which is presented as a cooking show, and Macbeth, which is performed with incomprehensible Scottish accents, are the highlights). Next they present the comedies as one long play with interchangeable characters (designated by different hats) because they all have the same plot and then perform all of the history plays as a football game with all of the kings as players and a crown instead of a ball (they call a flag on the play when King Lear tries to divide the kingdom between his daughters). At this point they realize that they have forgotten Hamlet but decide that they need a break. After the intermission, they present the sonnets (with help from the audience using Mad-Libs) and then perform an over the top version of Hamlet with lots of audience participation when they decide to psychoanalyze Ophelia. They finish early so they decide to perform Hamlet again in an attempt to break the record for the fastest production (53 seconds) and, when they do that, they decide to perform it backwards! I could not stop laughing during the entire show because it involves a lot of physical comedy.  It also allows for the addition of current pop culture references (I loved the use of Taylor Swift's song "Love Story" at the end of Romeo and Juliet), people and events specific to the area (there were many mentions of The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City), interactions with the audience (there was a large group of high school students in attendance which made this really fun), as well as lots of improvisation (especially when props would malfunction). The cast is fantastic with brilliant comedic timing, especially in the scenes where they are portraying multiple characters, and I loved all of their facial expressions. The actors wear white blouses, black pantaloons, white hose, and black Converse high-tops and this allows them to become multiple characters with the addition of different costume pieces (my favorite costume was for the nurse in Romeo and Juliet because the audience howled with laughter at the obviously fake boobs). The stage is very simple with three red curtains, from which the actors make their entrances, and two large trunks on either side containing costumes and props. I had so much fun watching this show and I was really impressed with all of the students in the audience because they definitely picked up on all of the references! I highly recommend getting a ticket (go here) during its run with shows Mondays, Fridays, and Saturdays through April 6.

Scrooge: A Christmas Carol at the Terrace Plaza Playhouse 2023

Last night I attended the second of four productions of A Christmas Carol that I have scheduled this holiday season. This version, the musical Scrooge: A Christmas Carol at the Terrace Plaza Playhouse, could not be more different in tone from the dramatic interpretation I saw at Parker Theatre last week because it is very lighthearted and whimsical which makes it perfect for families. Ebenezer Scrooge (Kim Florence) is still visited by the Ghosts of Christmas Past (Jacci Olsen Florence), Present (Don Wilhelm), and Future (Cougar Spens) for the reclamation of his soul but he is a figure of fun who is ridiculed by those who owe him money rather than a villain who is feared. This version also features original music by Leslie Bricusse and my favorite songs are "Christmas Children" by Bob Cratchit (Jon Talbot), "December the Twenty-Fifth" by Mr. and Mrs. Fezziwig (Danny Hall and Carla Zarate, respectively), "Happiness" by Young Ebenezer (Kelby Talbot) and Isabelle (Shae Wright), and "The Beautiful Day" by Tiny Tim (Lincoln Hall). As always, I was very impressed by the way the space on the small and intimate stage is used, especially with the large cast (many of whom are children), and the choreography is really fun and spirited! I really liked how all of the townspeople are featured in "Sing a Christmas Carol," I loved how the children make fun of Scrooge in "Father Christmas" (one of the littlest children was concentrating so hard on the steps and it was absolutely adorable), and I laughed out loud when Tommy Jones (Trey Cornell) dances of Scrooge's coffin in "Thank You Very Much." I also liked how the Ghost of Christmas Present conducts Scrooge all around the theatre to get to the Cratchit house and Fred's house. Victorian London is brought vividly to life with a cobblestone street depicted on a backdrop with Scrooge's Counting House on a platform to the right of the stage and the entrance to Scrooge's house on another one to the left (I loved how Jacob Marley's face appears on the door knocker). Various set pieces are moved on and off stage and my favorites were Fezziwig's factory, Bob Cratchit's house (I loved the fireplace), Fred's house (I loved the Christmas tree), and the white silhouettes used to represent Scrooge's childhood with his sister Fan. The period costumes are beautiful, especially the gowns worn by the female guests at Fred's Christmas party and the robe worn by the Ghost of Christmas Present. Kim Florence's portrayal of Scrooge is more humorous than other productions I've seen (I laughed out loud during his rendition of "I Hate People") but his reactions to Isabelle's parting from Young Ebenezer and to Tiny Tim's fate are incredibly poignant. Other standouts from the cast are Wilhelm as the Ghost of Christmas Present, Wright as Isabelle, Danny Hall as Mr. Fezziwig, and Lincoln Hall as Tiny Tim (he is adorable). The ensemble gives their all and it is very heartwarming because you can see the love they have for this community tradition. My only complaint with this show is Jacci Olsen Florence's portrayal of the Ghost of Christmas because it is really silly and the shtick goes on far too long (it seems to be a tradition because other members of the audience liked it more than I did). I really enjoyed this production and, as I previously mentioned, I think this would be a great holiday tradition for families. It runs Mondays, Fridays, and Saturdays through December 23 and tickets may be purchased here.

Big Fish at the Terrace Plaza Playhouse

I am a big fan of the musical Big Fish because it is such a touching story and the new production at the Terrace Plaza Playhouse, which I was able to see last night, is really charming! Will Bloom (Zion Austin) has always been exasperated by all of the wild stories that his father Edward (Tyler O'Bagy) tells him. These include hearing his fortune told by a witch (Kate Rufener) in a swamp, learning how to swim from a mermaid (ShayLee Hunter-Powell), befriending a giant named Karl (Mats Mudrow), running away to a circus owned by Amos Calloway (Brandon Rufener), wooing a young woman named Sandra (Margaret Simon) with daffodils, and thwarting the assassination attempt of a general during the war. As he is about to become a father himself, he learns that his father is dying from cancer and returns home to attempt a reconciliation with him. After a Wild West confrontation between the two of them, Will discovers that the truth about his father is even more extraordinary than the stories. All of the songs in this show are really fun and imaginative because they bring all of Edward's fantastical stories to life and I was quite impressed with how they are staged, especially in such a small and intimate space, and with the whimsical choreography. My favorite numbers are "Favorite Son" with all of the townspeople of Ashton (I loved the cheerleaders), "Closer to Her" with the circus performers (the strongman is adorable and the elephants had me laughing out loud), "Daffodils" (it is really immersive because everyone in the audience is given a daffodil to wave during this scene), and "Red, White and True" with the USO (I am always impressed when the ensemble tap dances). Both O'Bagy and Austin are outstanding as Edward and Will, respectively. O'Bagy portrays Edward's zest for life with an enthusiasm that is palpable, especially in the songs "Be the Hero" and "Fight the Dragons," while Austin is incredibly overwrought until he confronts his father in "Showdown" and then shows heartfelt emotion as he learns to appreciate him in "What's Next." I also really enjoyed Simon's emotional rendition of "I Don't Need a Roof." The set is very minimal with a wooden path across the stage leading to a backdrop featuring a river (the meaning of this symbolism is explored very well in the song "How It Ends" and I found it very moving). There is a large screen used for projections depicting the various rooms in Edward's house and all of the fantastical locations in his stories as well as set pieces that are moved on an off stage by the ensemble (I loved Jenny Hill's house). There are a myriad of elaborate costumes for this show and the ones for the witches, the giant, and the circus performers are highlights. This is a lovely story about a son trying to understand his father and a father trying to make his son proud that is sure to warm your heart and I highly recommend it!  It runs Mondays, Fridays, and Saturdays through November 11 and tickets may be purchased here.

Beauty and the Beast at the Terrace Plaza Playhouse

I now have a new favorite production at the Terrace Plaza Playhouse! Last night I saw Beauty and the Beast and words cannot express how much I loved this show! I loved everything about it starting with the stellar cast. Everyone is very well suited to their particular role and I enjoyed every single performance. Olivia Lusk-Garibay is an absolutely beautiful Belle and she has a beautiful voice to match. Her versions of "Home" and "A Change In Me" are incredibly moving (the latter gave me goosebumps). Daniel Sessions is a gruff but sympathetic Beast and his rendition of "If I Can't Love Her" is a highlight of the show (I loved the staging of this because all of the enchanted objects comfort him throughout). Stefan Kurzius brings a lot of physicality to the role of Gaston and I laughed out loud every time he manhandled Belle in "Me." Quacee Dorby is hilarious as LeFou and I loved the energy he brings to "Gaston." David J. Madsen is so endearing as Maurice and the Silly Girls (Ginny Waldron, Janelle Wiser, and Maura Gardner) are a lot of fun to watch because of their facial expressions. The actors portraying the enchanted objects, including Cody Eisenbarth as Cogsworth, Jacob Draper as Lumiere, Kellie Chapman as Babette, Kim Tolman as Mrs. Potts, Parker Tolman as Chip, and Lorinda Griffiths as Madame de la Grande Bouche, each perfectly embody their object's characteristics. Another highlight of this production is the choreography because the big song and dance numbers are spectacular and integrate a large cast into the intimate space very effectively, particularly all of the townspeople in "Belle," "Gaston," and "The Mob Song," the dancing dishes in "Be Our Guest" (I loved the tap dancing plates), and all of the enchanted objects in "Human Again." The waltz during "Beauty and the Beast" is so romantic! All of the costumes are simply amazing, the best I've seen at the Terrace Plaza Playhouse! The attention to detail in the costumes for the enchanted objects is incredible and I loved that Lumiere's candles light up, Mrs. Pott's spout has steam coming out of it, and Madeame de la Grande Bouche's doors open. Belle's iconic yellow dress is lovely (I loved the roses sewn on the top skirt) and the cape worn by the Enchantress is dazzling. Finally, I was so impressed with the set! It features four large, beautifully painted, three-sided panels on casters that are turned to become the village, the castle, the hunting lodge, and the library and there are set pieces on either side of the stage for the west wing of the castle (watch the rose petals carefully) and Belle's chamber. I have seen much bigger and more elaborate versions of this musical (including the Broadway touring production and one at Tuacahn) but I was absolutely charmed by what the Terrace Plaza Playhouse did with it and I think everyone should go see it!  Go here for tickets.

Singin' in the Rain at the Terrace Plaza Playhouse

I left the property early in the afternoon yesterday because I had a ticket to see Singin' in the Rain at the Terrace Plaza Playhouse last night. I thought I would have plenty of time but I heard that Parley's Canyon was at a standstill so I detoured to Provo Canyon which was a bit out of my way but was probably faster than sitting in traffic. I had Sean tuck and roll out of my car as I drove past his house (not really), I dropped all of my camping gear in the middle of my living room, and I took the world's fastest shower but I actually made it to the show with a few minutes to spare! I'm glad I made the effort because I loved this production! Don Lockwood (Jeff Erickson) and Lina Lamont (Whitney Cahoon) are silent film stars in the 1920s working on their latest collaboration. However, when the studio decides to transition to "talkies," Lina's obnoxious voice and terrible acting threatens to ruin the picture. Don decides to dub Lina's voice with that of Kathy Seldon (Stephanie Bruckman), an aspiring actress with whom he has fallen in love, and chaos ensues when Lina finds out! I really love all of the big song and dance numbers in this show and the choreography in "Fit as a Fiddle," "Make 'Em Laugh," "Moses Supposes," "Good Morning," and "Broadway Melody" is fantastic with lots of high energy tap dancing! The highlight is definitely the iconic number "Singin' in the Rain" because it actually rains on stage as Don dances around the lamp post. I was really impressed because this is a community theater that sometimes struggles with complicated technical effects. I also really liked "You Were Meant for Me" because it is incredibly romantic (I loved the stars) with tremendous chemistry between Erickson and Bruckman. The set is simple but effective with the logo for Monumental Pictures above a red velvet curtain and an Art Deco proscenium. This becomes a sound stage where the movies are filmed and a theater where they are screened with the addition of a few set pieces. Even though there were a few technical difficulties to begin with (which were handled in a highly amusing way), I loved seeing the movie footage projected on a large screen and I laughed and laughed when Lina struggles to use a microphone.  The 1920s costumes are a lot of fun and I especially liked all of the flapper dresses and headdresses. Erickson and Bruckman are wonderful singers and dancers and, as previously mentioned, have a lot of chemistry and Cahoon is a hoot but Nick Morris, as Don's sidekick Cosmo Brown, steals the show with his comedic timing and physicality. This is definitely among my favorites from the Terrace Plaza Playhouse and I highly recommend getting a ticket (go here). It runs through July 22.

Note:  When my nephew found out what play I was trying to get home to see, he started singing "Good Morning."

Bye Bye Birdie at the Terrace Plaza Playhouse

I have very fond memories of watching a VHS copy of the musical Bye Bye Birdie at my Grandma Anderson's house when I was young but I had never seen the stage version before. I had the opportunity at the Terrace Plaza Playhouse last night and it is definitely one of the best productions I have seen there!  Songwriter Albert Peterson (Tyler O'Bagy) is upset when his biggest client, Conrad Birdie (Boyad Hollingshead), is drafted into the Army because he is heavily in debt. His secretary and on-again off-again love interest, Rosie Alvarez (Natalie Peterson), comes up with a publicity stunt to have Birdie record a song called "One Last Kiss" and sing it to a fan on The Ed Sullivan Show before he leaves for the Army. Rosie hopes that this plan will allow Albert to make enough money to quit show business, become an English teacher, defy his disapproving mother Mae (Meredith Carlson), and finally marry her. Kim MacAfee (Aurora Nelson), the President of the Conrad Birdie Fan Club in Sweet Apple, Ohio, is selected and chaos ensues when Birdie disrupts life in Sweet Apple by driving the teen girls crazy, irritating Kim's father Harry (Steve Peterson), and coming between Kim and her steady boyfriend, Hugo Peabody (JC Wansgard), and when Mae comes to Sweet Apple to separate Albert from Rosie! I loved the young enthusiastic ensemble cast, one of the strongest I've seen at this theatre, because they perform the choreography really well, especially in the big numbers "Telephone Hour," "A Healthy, Normal, American Boy," "Honestly Sincere," and "A Lot of Livin' To Do." O'Bagy is adorably dorky and his version of "Put On a Happy Face" is really fun because it is so awkward, Hollingshead is channeling Elvis Presley with all of his moves (and his slicked back pompadour) in "Honestly Sincere" and "One Last Kiss," Nelson has a beautiful voice and she is sweet and earnest with her renditions of "How Lovely to Be a Woman" and "One Boy" and a bit rebellious in "What Did I Ever See In Him" and "A Lot of Livin' To Do," Steve Peterson is hilariously overwrought in "Kids," and Natalie Peterson absolutely shines in a dynamic performance of "Spanish Rose."  However, Carlson steals the show in a completely over the top performance and I laughed out loud when she flirts with Conrad and when she rolls around on the ground (in her fur coat!) to stop Albert from marrying Rosie! This show is set in the 50s so the costumes, with all of the pedal pushers, skirts, cardigan sweaters, scarfs, jeans, leather jackets, and letterman jackets, are so much fun and I loved the over-sized "I Heart Conrad Birdie" badges. The small space is used very effectively with Kim's bedroom and the Ice House located on platforms on either side of the stage and a train station (with actual train tracks!) located up stage with set pieces brought on for the MacAfee house and Maude's Roadside Retreat. My favorite set piece was a series of boxes lit with colored lights used in "Telephone Hour" because it reminded me of this same scene in the movie.  I had so much fun watching this show because there were so many young people in the audience, presumably to see their friends in the cast, and the energy was electric! This, along with The Scarlet Pimpernel and The Addams Family, is one of my favorites at this theatre and I highly recommend it (go here for tickets).

Tuck Everlasting at the Terrace Plaza Playhouse

Last night I went to see Tuck Everlasting, a musical adaptation of the beloved novel by Natalie Babbitt, at the Terrace Plaza Playhouse and I really enjoyed it. Winnie Foster (Jenna Francis) feels trapped in a house where her mother Betsy (Tracie Davies) and her Nana (Juliene Snyder) are in mourning for her dead father and she longs for adventure. One day she sneaks into the woods and meets Jesse Tuck (Jace Fawcett) near a stream. He stops her from taking a drink from the stream and inadvertently reveals that the water has made his family immortal. Jesse is happy to have made a friend but the rest of the Tuck family, including Mae (Hailey Jasper), Angus (Sheldon Cheshire), and Miles (Max Fawcett), worry that their secret will be revealed. Little do they know that the Man in the Yellow Suit (David Hales) has overheard Jesse and has evil plans for the water. Eventually Jesse asks Winnie to drink the water when she turns seventeen but his family warns that being immortal is not as enchanting as it appears. Francis and Fawcett are incredibly endearing as Winnie and Jesse, respectively, and I especially enjoyed their renditions of "Top of the World" and "Seventeen." Some of the performances from the rest of the main cast are definitely better than others but they are all filled with tremendous heart. Throughout most of the show I was really confused as to why there were so many seemingly extraneous people on stage because they often pulled focus from the action. However, this staging made a lot more sense at the end of the show during "The Wheel," where Angus tells Winnie that she doesn't need to live forever she just needs to live, and "The Story of Winnie Foster," which shows the joys and sorrows as Winnie lives out the remainder of her mortal life, because these extra characters are actually revealed to be the people in Winnie's future life who have been shadowing her as she makes the decision of whether to drink the water or not. This is an interesting, but ultimately very effective, choice because it led to several major a-ha moments for me! I also really enjoyed the choreography, especially in "Partner in Crime" where Winnie and Jesse sneak away and go to the fair, the set, which includes a large tree with a stream in front of it in the middle of the stage, and the costumes, particularly the iconic yellow suit. This production is so charming and heartwarming that I couldn't help but love it and I highly recommend it, especially to families!  It runs through April 8 and tickets may be purchased here.

Note:  I saw this show on Broadway a few years ago and it closed two days later!

The Marvelous Wonderettes at the Terrace Plaza Playhouse

My first live theatre production of 2023 was The Marvelous Wonderettes at the Terrace Plaza Playhouse last night. It is a really fun jukebox musical featuring songs from the 1950s and 60s and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The Springfield High School Class of 1958 is having their senior prom but the leader of the boys glee club originally scheduled to perform was suspended for smoking so the songleaders, known as the Marvelous Wonderettes, are asked to provide the entertainment at the last minute. In between the musical numbers, Betty Jean (Emily Richards), Cindy Lou (Jessica Andrus), Missy (Jenni Cooper), and Suzy (Katie Swainston) engage in witty banter about the rivalries within the group and their boy troubles as well as vie with each other to become prom queen (the audience gets to vote using a ballot distributed before the show). After the intermission, the Class of 1958 has their ten year reunion at Springfield High School and the Marvelous Wonderettes are, once again, asked to perform. They each have a chance to catch their classmates (the audience) up on what has been happening in their lives during the past ten years. The best part of this show is the amazing music (I grew up listening to all of these songs) and my favorites were "Mr. Sandman," "Lollipop," "All I Have To Do Is Dream," "Dream Lover," "Stupid Cupid," "Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me," "You Don't Own Me," "It's In His Kiss," "I Only Want to Be With You," "It's My Party," "Son of a Preacher Man," "Leader of the Pack," "Rescue Me," and "Respect."  Richards, Andrus, Cooper, and Swainston have great four-part harmony and sound fantastic but they also do a good job with the choreography and the physical comedy. My favorite was Cooper (I voted for Missy to be prom queen) because her facial expressions are hilarious, especially when she confesses her crush on one of their teachers (Mr. Lee is played by someone picked out of the audience each night and our Mr. Lee got really into the choreography). The costumes are a lot of fun (each character has her own color) with elaborate tea length prom dresses made of tulle in the first act and sheath dresses and go-go boots in the second. The stage has been transformed into a high school gym decorated for the prom, complete with crepe paper streamers, posters advertising the candidates for prom queen (the posters correspond with each character's color), tables full of punch and cookies, and a bandstand with shimmering door curtains and standing microphones. The Terrace Plaza Playhouse is sometimes hit or miss with me but I feel like they really shine with smaller productions and this one is outstanding.  It is a delightful way to spend an evening and I highly recommend it (go here for tickets).

Scrooge: A Christmas Carol at the Terrace Plaza Playhouse

I will be attending three different versions of A Christmas Carol this week and I started last night with the musical Scrooge: A Christmas Carol at the Terrace Plaza Playhouse. I was really excited because I had never seen this version before. I saw the musical by Alan Menken at CPT several years ago and, while I definitely prefer that version, I thought this was very charming and it put a huge smile on my face. It tells the well-known story by Charles Dickens about the reclamation of a miser named Ebenezer Scrooge (Kim Florence) by the Ghosts of Christmas Past (Jacci Florence), Present (Don Wilhelm), and Future (Jacob Taft) but it includes original music by Leslie Bricusse. The songs are not especially memorable, my favorites were "December the Twenty-Fifth" by Mr. Fezziwig (Duane Beesley), "The Beautiful Day" by Tiny Tim (Beckett Ronnow), and "Thank You Very Much" by Tommy Jones (Shane Alvey), but the cast is very enthusiastic and the choreography is a lot of fun (especially "Thank You Very Much" because it involves dancing on a coffin) so I enjoyed every number. I was really impressed with the number of performers on the stage, including lots of children! I really enjoyed Florence as Scrooge because, while he is still the curmudgeonly misanthrope we all know, he is more a figure of fun who is ridiculed by those who owe him money than a villain who is feared (at one point several characters stick their tongues out at him). Even though he is a bit of a buffoon, his character arc is still really moving to watch because he becomes more and more affected by every vignette shown from his past, present, and future. I also liked Jim Alvey as Bob Cratchit and Tracie Davies as Mrs. Cratchit because their interactions with each other and with Ronnow (who is absolutely adorable as Tiny Tim) are so tender and genuine. The way the intimate space at the Terrace Plaza Playhouse is used is always really clever and this production is no exception. Scrooge's Counting House is located on a platform to the right of the stage and the entrance to his house (the transformation of the knocker into Jacob Marley's face is a great effect) is located on another one to the left.  The Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future lead Scrooge all around the theatre, including behind the soundboard, to various locations.  A cobblestone street in 19th Century London is depicted on a backdrop and various sets are moved on and off the stage.  I was impressed with the attention to detail in Fezziwig's factory, Bob Cratchit's house, and Fred's house as well as the white silhouettes used to depict Scrooge's childhood with his sister Fan and the giant clock in Scrooge's bedroom. The period costumes are really beautiful, with the possible exception of the strange red tutu worn by the Ghost of Christmas Past (I thought she looked like a deranged Sugar Plum Fairy and her shtick went on far too long). This production is filled with so much heart that you can't help but be filled with a big dose of Christmas cheer and I highly recommend it.  There are nightly performances through December 23 with matinees December 10 and 17 (go here for tickets).

Note:  I have seen HCT's version of A Christmas Carol more times than I can count (I almost have the entire show memorized) so it was really fun to see a different interpretation.

The Addams Family at the Terrace Plaza Playhouse

Last night I went to the second production of The Addams Family in as many weeks. This time it was the Terrace Plaza Playhouse's version and, once again, I had a lot of fun watching it. The Addams family relies on their dead ancestors to help them through life and they need them now more than ever because Wednesday (Arianna Evans) has fallen in love with a boy from Ohio named Lucas Beineke (Trey Cornell). She wants his uptight parents, Mal (Josh Curtis) and Alice (Jana Plowman), to meet her family, including her father Gomez (Nathan Sachs), her mother Morticia (Natalie Petersen), her brother Pugsley (Amauree Mack), her uncle Fester (David Storm), her Grandma (Carla Zarate), and their butler Lurch (Drew Saddler), so she arranges a dinner and requests that they give her just one normal night. Chaos ensues when a mishap involving a poisonous potion occurs and it is up to Uncle Fester, with the help of the ancestors (Antonio Moya, Colby Majors, Ethan Page, Evelyn Bush, Ian Wellisch, Isabelle Page, Kade Saddler, Kayley Turner, Kelsey Turner, Kysa Ronnow, McKenna Plowman, McLain Reid, Mikelle Shupe, Nataly Hirano, Olivia Page, Savanna Hewitt, and Shane Alvey), to convince everyone that love is the answer. I really enjoyed the choreography in this production, especially all of the big song and dance numbers featuring the ancestors. This was the biggest group of ancestors I have seen used in this show and they are integrated into the choreography very well, particularly in "When You're An Addams," "Trapped," "One Normal Night," "Full Disclosure," "Just Around the Corner," and "Move Toward the Darkness." I also liked having the ancestors as part of the choreography for "Tango De Amor" because I have not seen that done before (I really like seeing subtle differences in productions since the same shows are often repeated by Utah theatres). Evans is one of the best Wednesdays I've seen and I loved her renditions of "Pulled" and "Crazier Than You" because she has a beautiful voice. I also enjoyed Cornell as Lucas (he is a Timothee Chalamet lookalike with all of his same awkward mannerisms), Mack as Pugsley (he is adorable), and Curtis as Mal (his facial expressions had me laughing out loud), but Saddler steals the show as Lurch (he is often in the background but you should watch everything he does because all of his actions are hilarious). The costumes are fantastic, especially those worn by the ancestors (my favorites were the World War I soldier, the Highland lass, and the conquistador) because they are so elaborate! The set is very minimal but suitably atmospheric with lots of spooky details (I loved the organ). My only disappointment was the with the moon.  During "Move Toward the Darkness," the entire cast gestured to the moon so we all turned our attention to it and nothing happened.  I'm not sure if there were technical difficulties but it was a bit anticlimactic. This is a minor criticism because the show is fantastic and I recommend it as a fun activity perfect for Halloween.  It runs through November 12 (go here for tickets).

See How They Run at the Terrace Plaza Playhouse

I have been looking forward to the Terrace Plaza Playhouse's production of See How They Run for months because I played Miss Skillon in high school! It is such a funny play and I thoroughly enjoyed myself watching it last night! The action takes place in the vicarage of a village called Merton-Cum-Middlewick during World War II. An American soldier stationed in England named Clive (Andrew Heyward) visits his old friend Penelope (Amelia Joan Bowles) who is now married to the Rev. Lionel Toop (Josh Curtis). Ida (Kellie Chapman), her cockney maid who loves American movies, is flustered by his arrival but Miss Skillon (Jennifer Westfall), a meddling spinster who is sweet on Rev. Toop, is convinced that Penelope is having an affair with him and imbibes too much cooking sherry. Penelope proposes that Clive wear the Rev. Toop's second best suit and clerical collar so that they can dodge army regulations and see a play together. Add Penelope's sedate uncle the Bishop of Lax (Duane Beesley), the mild-mannered visiting clergyman Rev. Arthur Humphrey (Josh Astle), and an escaped Russian spy (Danny Hall) and mayhem ensues when all five men end up chasing each other in clerical garb! The action is incredibly fast-paced and you almost can't catch your breath in between fits of laughter! I especially loved when Clive, Toop, the Bishop, and the Russian spy jump over the prostrate Miss Skillon as they run in and out of the drawing room and then jump again even though she is no long there the second time they run through (this was my favorite scene in my high school production even though I always worried that they wouldn't jump in time!). I also loved all of the scenes with various characters hiding in the cupboard (my family and friends loved those scenes in my high school production because of all of my funny poses). The cast is outstanding and they handle all of the physical comedy so well! Curtis is particularly hilarious whenever he becomes exasperated (which is most of the time) and I loved Beesley's facial expressions as he becomes more and more outraged at the goings-on! Of course I spent most of my time watching Westfall (apparently I still remember all of my lines and blocking) and I couldn't help but smile from ear to ear at all of her antics! I was absolutely giddy during the entire show because I loved every aspect of the production, including the set, the costumes, and the performances!  Based on the audience's reactions, I was not alone! I highly recommend this show which runs through September 17 (go here for tickets). I may need to see it again!

Note:  As expected, this show made me incredibly nostalgic! I had so much fun playing Miss Skillon because it was the biggest role I had ever had and because I became very good friends with the entire cast!

Mary Poppins at the Terrace Plaza Playhouse

I really love the musical Mary Poppins so I've been looking forward to seeing it at the Terrace Plaza Playhouse for quite some time. I had the opportunity last night and, other than some wonderful performances from the main cast, I though it was a very amateur production that was often disorganized and messy. Mary Poppins (Annie Ferrin) comes to 17 Cherry Tree Lane to look after Jane and Michael Banks (Daphne Dixon and Owen Talbot, respectively) but, after a few adventures with Bert the chimney sweep (Josh Curtis) to teach them a lesson, she ends up saving their father, George Banks (Jon Talbot), as well. I really enjoyed Ferrin's performance as Mary because she has a beautiful voice, especially in "Practically Perfect," "A Spoonful of Sugar,"and "Feed the Birds," and she has wonderful chemistry with Dixon and Talbot, who are adorable as the Banks children, especially when she is being stern with them.  Curtis is extremely charismatic as Bert and I really liked all of his facial expressions. Talbot is quite sympathetic as Mr. Banks, even when he is being disagreeable, and Karlie Ady portrays Mrs. Banks's character arc from a woman who does not know her role to one who provides strength for her family very well. While the main cast is outstanding, there are some additions to the cast that seemed very odd to me. There are a trio of characters in colored costumes with hair to match (they reminded me of the fairies in Sleeping Beauty) who seem to serve no purpose other than standing around (or sitting) on stage. Even more perplexing are the toys (a Raggedy Andy, teddy bear, ballerina, and toy soldier) that come to life when Mary has the children clean the nursery and appear throughout the entire show with their stuffed counterparts rather than briefly during "Playing the Game" as they usually do (I could never figure out what they were doing). The ensemble is incredibly large and even seems to include the very young children of ensemble members (who do nothing but stand there and look cute). It is almost as if anyone who auditioned was allowed to be a part of the show. The choreography for the big song and dance numbers "Jolly Holiday" and "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" is really good but the staging, with so many cast members on such a small stage, is chaotic. I was sitting in one of the side sections and I could hardly see Mary, Burt, or the Banks children (who are meant to be the principals in these numbers) because there are so many people blocking them. I was most disappointed by "Step in Time" because it is usually a show-stopper involving Burt, Mary, the Banks children, and the chimney sweeps tap dancing on the roofs of London. In this production the entire cast is used, including the statues from the park, the fairies, the toys (a break dancing teddy bear definitely took me out of the moment), as well as Mr. and Mrs. Banks (which makes no sense because they are supposed to be angry when Mary and the others return through the fireplace) and it is so messy. Once again, I couldn't see Mary or Burt at all which was frustrating. The set consists of the nursery and the bank on either side of the stage above the seats (I am always impressed with how every part of the theater is used) but the sitting room and kitchen are located down stage so the large fireplace and chair block everything that happens up stage.  Furthermore, the chair, inexplicably, faces away from the audience so Mr. Banks is frequently hidden from view. The costumes are great, especially Mary's iconic dress in "Jolly Holiday" and all of the Edwardian dresses worn by the female ensemble, but I do not understand the reasoning behind having Mrs. Banks wear large hoop skirts (a more Victorian silhouette).  Finally, I certainly do not expect a community theater to have the same special effects as the production I saw recently at Tuacahn but this is a show that requires some magic. I do not think it is unreasonable to expect Mary to fly because it is one of her defining characteristics (I've seen high school productions, including Hunter High, with characters flying) but at the very least the kites should fly in "Let's Go Fly a Kite." I know that it sounds like I am being overly harsh but after seeing outstanding productions of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers and The Scarlet Pimpernel at this theater I was definitely expecting more from this show.