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.

Marlowe's Musings

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.

AN AMERICAN IN PARIS

THE BUELL THEATRE: 3/8 -3/19

 

        L-R: Sara Esty as Lise Dassin and Garen Scribner as Jerry Mulligan

     Garen Scribner and Sara Esty are mind-blowing perfection in singing and dancing the roles originated by Gene Kelly and Leslie Caron in the classic MGM movie.

     “An American In Paris” is that Tony Award winning musical about an American soldier who falls for a French girl and The City of Lights just after the end of World War II. 

     The show won more awards than any other musical that season. Christopher Wheeldon got the Tony Award for Best Choreography. 

     The magic of Paris, the glory of George and Ira Gershwin’s musical composition and Mr. Wheeldon’s superb choreography/ direction conspire to create a  spectacular evening of theatre. 

     Some of the numerous classics woven into this magical experience are: “I Got Rhythm,” “’S Wonderful,” and “They Can’t Take That Away from Me.”

     It’s great to get to see the fine work of local artist Barton Cowperthwaite featured in the role of Lise’s Ballet Partner.

     The live orchestra’s delivery of the Gershwins’ magnificent score is outstanding.

     The lighting and scenic designs, here done by Natasha Katz and Bob Crowley respectively, which also won Tonys in 2015, are jaw-dropping perfection! Mr. Crowley also did the eye-popping costume design!

     It is this reviewer’s great wish that this outstanding work will be honored by the  SRO crowds it so deserves at every performance.

     YOU OWE IT TO YOURSELF TO SEE AND HEAR THIS MAGNIFICENT SHOW!

For tickets call: 303-893-4100 or go online at denvercenter.org Marlowe's Musings

Sabrina Fair

Lowry’s Spotlight Theatre: 2/17 – 3/18

                          Regina Steffen

Playwright Samuel Taylor’s “Sabrina Fair” is a romantic comedy that brings us back to the post-war era of the 1950s, immersing us as audience in the light,warm feelings of victory and freedom. It's just the ticket for removing oneself - if only for a little while - from the onslaught of horrors handed to us by the new administration.

     The story is that of the homecoming of a beautiful young woman to this country after having spent five years in Paris.    

Upon returning home, Sabrina Fairchild, the daughter of the chauffeur to the Larrabee family, attracts the amorous glances of both the young men of the family.

     Regina Steffen is strikingly girlish and vibrant in the title role of Sabrina Fairchild. Her exuberant stage movement and coquettish glances will make you love her.

     James O’Hagan Murphy is a strong presence onstage as the older Larrabee son, Linus. Well known for his stunning portrayal of Robert Kennedy in the one-man-show,“RFK,” he was recently featured in Spotlight Theatre’s production of “Suddenly Last Summer.”

     As David, the younger of the two Larrabee sons, Drew Hirschboeck shines. This actor has very much the look of the young Baryshnikov, and it’s good to see him back at the John Hand where not so very long ago his scheming Phillip plotted against Henry ll in “Lion in Winter.”

     Darcy J. Kennedy is a joy to behold onstage. Her command of the matriarchal role in this play is full of bright humor. Kennedy has recently been seen in “Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol” and “Suddenly Last Summer.”

     As Aunt Julia, Cindy Laudadio-Hill brings a bright peppering of hilarious expressions and bons mots to the proceedings.

     Claude Diener is amazing in the role of the aging patriarch of the Larabee family. With his suave gentlemanly demeanor and walking stick he enhances the production greatly. Diener’s performance as Dolittle in Performance Now’s “My Fair Lady” (Marlowe Award) was indelible.

     Stephanie Kidd is appropriately galling as David Larrabee’s first wife.

     It’s a pleasure to see Phil Luna (Paul D’Argenson) onstage again after an absence that has been, in this reviewer’s not so humble opinion, far too long.

     Director Rachel Bouchard has brought together a handsome and cohesive cast. Although her pacing is also quite good for the most part, it’s a challenge to keep up the momentum with overlong speeches such as the chauffeur’s monologue near play’s end.

     The technical staff for the show is brilliant: Set(Bernie Cardell), costumes(Susan Rahmsdorff Terry), lighting(Vance McKenzie) and sound(Luke Allen Terry.)
Marlowe's Musings

Lowry's Spotlight Theatre

“Sabrina Fair”  

The chauffeur's daughter falls for both wealthy sons in this sparkling romantic comedy.

Previews Friday, February 17 @ 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 18 - Mar. 18 

Fri/Sat & Mon., Feb.27 at 7:30.p.m, Sun. at 2 p.m.

$13 - $23

720-530-4596 or www.thisisspotlight.com

The John Hand Theater, 7653 E. 1st Place, Denver, CO 80230

Free parking.