DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS

STAGE DOOR THEATRE (GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN)

                       L-R: Parrish Worsfold, Sonsharae Tull and Andrew Stanley

    

“Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, the Musical” is based upon the movie of the same name, that starred Steve Martin and Michael Caine. When the show got translated to Broadway, with music and lyrics by David Yazbek and book by Jeffrey Lane, it landed eleven Tony nominations.

     This reviewer was late getting over to Stage Door Theatre in Conifer to see the show and hopes that you were able to get there as well.

     With the signature humor of PAMELA CLIFTON’s deft direction, it’s no surprise that this show was a hoot!

     ADRIANNE HAMPTON created sparkling choreography that brought out all the entertaining moods of the piece.

     BLAKE NAWA’A’s music direction was superb.

      PARRISH WORSFOLD gave a memorable performance in the role of Lawrence, the older of these two con men.

     In the role of the younger of the two, ANDREW STANLEY gave us an amiable Freddy.  

     EDDIE SCHUMACHER turned in his best work to date as Andre.

     SONSHARAE TULL was hilarious as Jolene, the indomitable cowgirl from Oklahoma.

      DEBBIE MINTER’s  Muriel was utterly delightful and Mariel Goffredi’s Christine, delicious.

Whether you were lucky enough to get to see this hilarious musical comedy or not, it behooves you to take a trip up to Conifer and Stage Door Theatre soon!

Go online at stagedoortheatre.org to check out what’s coming up next!Marlowe's Musings

     

COMPANY

AURORA FOX ARTS CENTER: 9/22 – 10/22/17

              L-R: Lindsey Falduto and Jeremy Rill

With music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, and book by George Furth, the 1970 production of COMPANY was nominated for 14 Tonys and won 6.

     One of the first musicals to deal with adult themes, COMPANY revolves around a man who is unable to commit to a romantic relationship.

     Director/choreographer Kelly Van Oosbree has cast the show impeccably. Her choreography of “Side by Side by Side”/”What Would We Do Without You?” exhilarates!  

     Jeremy Rill’s Bobby is awesome beyond expectations. His singing of “Being Alive” stuns!

      Heather Lacy’s “The Ladies Who Lunch” is outstanding!    Purists remembering Elaine Stritch in the role of Joanne, may find this glamorous actor a little short in the tooth and way too beautiful for the role. Nevertheless… her sophisticated take on “The Ladies Who Lunch” is musical theatre ice cream!

     Lindsey Falduto’s “Another Hundred People” will rock your world! BRAVA!

     Rebekah Ortiz’s “Not Getting Married Today” reveals this actor’s talent for outrageously funny comedy.

     Leiney Rigg, Heather Doris and Ms. Falduto excel in the harmonies and humor of “You Could Drive a Person Crazy!”

     This phenomenal cast also includes the exceptional musical theatre talents of Lauren Shealy, Andy Sievers, Michelle Merz-Hutchinson, Carolyn Lohr,Timmie Antoine, Frank Oden,Patrick McAleer and Kyle Dean Steffen.

     The eye-pleasing set by Brandon Philip Case is enhanced by Brett Maughan’s very fine lighting design. Music Director Andrew Fischer conducts the onstage orchestra with style.

     You don’t need to go to New York for great theatre, folks. Just go to Aurora!

     Run to get at ticket! Marlowe's Musings

Aurora Fox Arts Center is located at 9900 E. Colfax in Aurora, CO.,80010

For Tickets call 303-739-1970 or go online at aurorafoxartscenter.org

FROZEN

The Buell Theatre: August 17 through October 1

The cast of FROZEN, Disney's Broadway-Bound Musical(Photo credit: Deen van Meer)

This reviewer must confess at the get go that he has never seen the animated film, “FROZEN.” The story is not really his cup of iced tea. So please take all of this with a block of salt or ice as you like.

     Visually spectacular, and with talent galore, FROZEN has one problem.

   The performances are all superb. So are the projections, lighting, scenic and costume designs.

     The special effects dazzle!

      An interminable parade of ballads blend one into the other with pleasant, if forgettable affect.

       The vocals, especially those of Elsa(Caissie Levy) and Anna(Patti Murin), mesmerize us. The snowman and the reindeer enchant us, and one wishes they had lots more to do in the show.

     This reviewer’s main problem with the show has to do with the emotional connection between the central characters, and the show’s emotional engagement of the audience.

     The experience one usually has at the end of Disney productions of having a tear in the eye and a lump in the throat is missing here. At final curtain one feels very much like Morales in “A CHORUS  LINE” when she sings, “I felt nothing.”

     That said, one must admit that the audience at The Buell seemed to be loving every minute of it.

     It’s a work that’s unfinished; as all productions are that are on their way to Broadway. At this point in time it’s still getting constantly reformed by script doctors performing their various operations. 
     It’s this reviewer’s not so humble opinion that the show needs to be much more able to communicate the intense pain of separation felt by the sisters at the top of the show so that we as audience can experience the joy of their reconciliation at final curtain.

     So far we don’t.

For tickets call  720-865-4220 or go online at denvercenter.org