42nd St. Moon's "The Boys from Syracuse"


Unbeatable Rodgers & Hart score, and some lovely star turns in roles of all sizes

Routine Disclaimer: I do marketing work for 42nd St. Moon, including being their BlogMaster. In addition, I know the director and some of the cast members personally.

Still, here I go with my traditional:

Top 5 Reasons to see The Boys from Syracuse

5. The lovely, lovely score by Rodgers & Hart. I heard some nice audience member say at intermission, "they just don't write 'em like that anymore!" And she's right. Timeless songs like This Can't Be Love and Falling in Love With Love never sound out-of-date. I really enjoy not only Musical Director Dave Dobrusky's entire-orchestra-in-his-ten-fingers, but hearing those songs sung by unamplified voices. There are many vocally excellent moments...the female trio in Sing for your Supper, the male cast in Come With Me, Ron Lytle's surprisingly heartfelt turn at My Big Brother. There are too few places where you can go and really hear the human voice. 42nd St. Moon is one of them.

4. I've kinda had a girl-crush on Nancy Dobbs Owen since seeing her dance the tango in Can-Can. She has such lovely lines and carriage...I feel like Dick Button and Peggy Fleming when they discuss the "lines" and "elegance" of certain skaters like Sasha Cohen or MIchelle Kwan. I just really like to watch her dance.

3. And speaking of girl-crushes...about half a dozen of us had one on Alexandra Kaprielian on Opening NIght. She looks fabulous; she sounds lovely, and she is charming and not a bit overdone as the Courtesan. I remember when I did this show, everyone in the cast thought our Courtesan was really, really funny...but it was all in an in-joke, over-the-top kind of way, and it fell flat with the audiences. Seeing Alex's performance in the same role, I finally get why!

2. I haven't seen Stephanie Rhoads on stage in a while, and it was a pleasure to see her tackle the role I played 14 years ago at Foothill. (Isn't theatre awesome when short, dark little me and blonde, willowy Stephanie can play the same role!?) It was also a weird deja vu, as I recalled each line immediately upon her saying it. When she and I talked afterwards we agreed that Adriana is a deceptive role...she can seem like a shrew, but you don't have to play her that way, and Stephanie certainly didn't. The Shortest Day of the Year is not a well known R&H song, but I loved it ever since I learned it for the show, and Stephanie (and William Giammona) brought a smile to my face with their rendition.

1. The Dromios. The aforementioned Ron Lytle really comes on like gangbusters in a role that seems perfect for him, and Kalon Thibodeaux is a real find (well, they first found him as Harpo in Minnie's Boys.) No, they don't look like twins...just go with it. They're both sly and funny, and they're enough alike in that respect to make the whole thing work.

So, there you go. A fine close to the season for 42nd St Moon, with a great show that clocks in at under two hours...which is always a big plus for me. Kudos to director Dennis Lickteig for keeping the pace fast and funny.

BTW: The opening weekend was pretty much sold out, so with only two weekends left I'd hop on it if I were you. Don't forget you can get 20% off all regular tickets for any performance except Sunday matinees. Details here.

Posted: Sun - May 1, 2005 at 07:48 PM       EmailFeedback

©