Tuesday, March 14, 2017

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
303-232-0363 or online at www.theedgetheater.com.
The Edge Theater, 1560 Teller Street, Lakewood CO 80214. Free Parking.
Adult themes.



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