42^nd Street

Candlelight Dinner Playhouse: Through June 4

Parker Redford (center) and the cast of 42nd Street sing "We're in the Money!"

     I just returned from an enjoyable and entertaining production of “42^nd Street” at Candlelight Dinner Playhouse.

     Sometimes reviewers are just plain jaded. When you’ve seen every version of a movie musical on screens big and little and then seen it onstage almost as many times, you get jaded.

    However… in the case of “42^nd Street” it’s almost impossible to tire of this grand old warhorse and her song and dance.

     This tale of an aging star getting put out to pasture just as the new actress is becoming “a Star” is nothing new in the story-telling department. However…there are a number of actors in this cast who will deliver the goods as though it were.     Heather McClain plays Dorothy Brock, the fading star and David L. Wygant portrays the director, Julian Marsh.

     Lisa Kay Carter sparkles as Peggy Sawyer, the new girl in town.

      In the supporting cast you will have the great pleasure of seeing Denver favorite, Mary McGroary in the role of Annie. Ms. McGroary lights up the stage any time she’s on it, and you may find your eye following her throughout all the ensemble numbers. Why? Because she IS a Star!

     Parker Redford’s exuberant portrayal of Billy Lawlor is a total delight.

      Directed by Pat Payne, the show is full of such vintage favorites as: “We’re in the Money,” “Broadway Lullabye” and “You’re Getting to be a Habit With Me.”

     The sparkly show-biz costumes are by Debbie Faber.

     Choreographer Kate Vallee delivers a cast-full of dancers who tap their way into your heart from curtain to curtain. So go “and meet those dancing feet” and enjoy this truly exquisite venue. (The original choreography was of course, created by Broadway legend, Gower Champion.)

     That said one might have wished for a splashier lighting design with regard to the usual neon Broadway marquees.

     So if you’re a “42^nd Street” virgin – or even if you’re not - get on up to Candlelight Dinner Playhouse and enjoy dinner and a show.

      I can’t comment on the food this time since we were only able to arrive just in time to see the show due to scheduling difficulties. (One must add that when this reviewer saw Donald Berlin’s outstanding production of “Into the Woods,” the food and wine were both scrum diddly.)Marlowe's Musings

Candlelight Dinner Playhouse is located at 4747 Marketplace Drive in Johnstown, CO, 80534

For tickets call the box office at 970-744-3747