THE NANCE
The Edge Theater Company:
Through April 2
Warren Sherrill
By turns funny and heartbreaking, this
Tony Award-winning show is not to be missed.
Douglas Carter Bean’s script takes us back
to a New York City besieged by the anti-Gay administration of Mayor LaGuardia in
the late 1930s.
The Nance was a stock vaudeville character that poked fun at homosexual men in
the burlesque theatre of the day.
On
Broadway the lead character was portrayed by Nathan Lane.
In The
Edge Theater’s production Warren Sherrill brings an onstage joy and offstage pathos
to the central role of Chauncey Miles. It’s one of the best performances by an
actor so far this season.
John Ashton turns in a very fine
performance as Ephram, Chauncey’s straight man.
New to this reviewer, Jihad Milhem
delivers a moving portrayal of Ned, Chauncy’s handsome love interest.
Patty Ionoff, Emily Tuckman, Amy Gray and
Emily Gomes light up the stage with exuberant song and dance numbers that have
been well choreographed by Marquette Lia Carrington. Traci Kern’s music
direction is her usual professional work.
Douglas Clarke’s set design, which
transforms the playing space into a vaudeville stage and dressing room, is a
stunner that’s greatly enhanced by Kevin Taylor’s lighting.
Rick Yaconis’ superb job of casting and
pacing “The Nance” puts his direction right up there with the best of them.
The Edge Theater
“The Nance”
Mar.3 - Apr. 2
In the 1930s it was easy to play gay and dangerous to be
gay.
Fri./ Sat. & Mon, Mar 20 at 8:00 p.m.; Sun. at 6 p.m.;
No performance on Sunday, March 19.
$22-$28
The Edge Theater, 1560 Teller Street, Lakewood CO 80214.
Free Parking.
Adult themes.
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