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.

BONNIE AND CLYDE, THE MUSICAL

TOWN HALL ARTS CENTER: 2/17 – 3/19

L-R: Ellen Kaye and Tim Howard

With music by Frank Wildhorn and lyrics by Don Black, “Bonnie and Clyde, the Musical” tells the tale of the infamous Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow. This is the couple that terrorized the south during the Depression by holding up everything from gas stations to banks. When Clyde kills a man in one of the robberies these two realize it’s “Too Late to Turn Back Now.”

     Tim Howard, who plays Clyde Barrow, is one of Colorado’s premier musical theatre talents. His rousing version of “This World Will Remember Me” rocks at the top of the show and his mellifluous rendition of “Bonnie” puts one in mind of the young James Taylor.

      Ellen Kaye, who portrays Bonnie Parker, has a soprano to die for. “How ‘Bout a Dance” and “Dyin’ Ain’t So Bad” will give you an auditory taste of just how phenomenal her voice is. 

          When Keegan Flaugh’s Baptist preacher unleashes his version of “God’s Arms are Always Open,” he takes us with him to ‘Gospel’ heaven.

     The supporting cast includes such fine artists as: Chas Lederer(Buck Barrow), Alison Mueller(Blanche Barrow), Scott McLean(Sheriff Schmid) and Margie Lamb(Emma Parker.)

      Nick Sugar has directed and choreographed the show which means that the usual suspects are manning the technical aspects of the show. It also means that the production looks and sounds great!

    With scenic design by Tina Anderson, costumes by Linda Morken and lighting by Seth Alison, how could one go wrong?

     Add to that the incredibly gifted Donna Kolpan Debreceni and her live band which keeps us rooted in the Gospel and Rockabilly sounds with which Mr. Wildhorn scored the piece. Curt Behm’s sound design enhances the production.

     Beyond that there are projections by Brian Freeland which keep us visually focused in the black and white and sepia memories of the era. These projections, many of which look as if they were ripped from the pages of James Agee’s “Let Us Now Praise Famous Men,” fill in the holes in Ivan Menchell’s book by featuring headlines that let the audience know where these gangstas are currently raising hell. F/X maestro Todd Debreceni adds his genius to the make-up and special effects.

Leave the kids at home and go support Littleton Town Hall Arts Center’s “Bonnie and Clyde, the Musical.”Marlowe's Musings

Town Hall Arts Center is located at 2450 West Main Street in Littleton, Colorado

For tickets go online to www.TownHallArtsCenter.org or call 303-794-2787

YOHEN

THEATRE ESPRIT ASIA: 2/3 – 2/26

 

 L-R: Don Randle and Maria Cheng

Theatre Esprit Asia is currently producing the regional premiere of Philip Kan Gotanda’s “YOHEN” at their space in the Aurora Cultural Arts District’s Gallery at 1400 Dallas Street in Aurora.

     Directed by Anthony J. Garcia, and starring Maria Cheng and Don Randle, YOHEN brings to life the story of the marriage of an immigrant Japanese woman and an African American G.I.

     One’s first impression upon entering the Gallery is that Bryan Miller’s minimalist scenic design suggests that this couple’s living space is a perfectly balanced zen garden. At first glance it reflects the soft, feminine feng shui and ordered sensibility of Sumi. However … in short order we are made aware that the space also contains the imaginal imprint of a boxing ring reflective of the masculine potency of Sumi’s athletic paramour, James.

     Once considered “a cinch for the Olympics,” James now serves as mentor to up-and-coming young boxers at the corner gym.

     Watching Mr. Randle’s sweaty intense delivery of air-jabs, hooks and uppercuts, first with his right, and then with his southpaw, allows one to easily imagine his opponent in the ring.

      As Sumi Washington, Ms. Cheng’s studied acting is both poignant and brilliant. (Anyone having seen this actor’s award-winning work in “Spirit and Sworded Treks” will presumably already have tickets.

     In Japanese, Yohen means “an accident in the firing” of a clay pot.  Sometimes a flaw makes one see the beauty in an otherwise flawless work. Shamans say that it’s the crack that allows the light to enter and heal what needs to be healed.

     Go and support Theatre Esprit Asia!

YOHEN is playing at ACAD Gallery Theatre

Aurora Cultural Arts District,1400 Dallas St.  

Aurora, CO  80010   

For tickets call 720-492-9479 or go online at teatheatre.org