WHERE’S CHARLEY? Musical adaptation of Brandon Thomas’s 1892 farce Charley’s Aunt. Music and Lyrics by Frank Loesser. Book by George Abbott. Directed by Dyan McBride. 42nd Street Moon, Eureka Theatre, 215 Jackson St., San Francisco. Box Office www.42ndstmoon.org or 415-255-8207. April 29 – May l7, 2015.
Where’s Charley? is histrionically hysterical at 42nd Street Moon [rating:4]
42nd Street Moon closes its 2015 season with a winner. You do not have to be an aficionado of “lost musicals” to thoroughly enjoy one of the most attractive shows they have mounted in their 22 years of existence. They have come a long, long way from script-in-hand readings to full scale productions and have set the bar high for any future productions.
They have assembled a top-notch cast in beautiful period costumes (Rebecca Valentino) that San Francisco drag queens would die for. When the main character, Charley Wykeham (marvelous Keith Pinto) takes on the personae of his aunt Donna Lucia D’Alvadorez this improbable farce is a joy. As with many of the “lost musicals” setting the storyline in early scenes involves non-musical dialog and requires time to come up to speed. When it did the opening night audience had a treat.
You will not need a program to identify who is who and what is what but a short synopsis (and background data) is offered here. The original farce, titled Charley’s Aunt, was first produced in London in 1892 and is still making the rounds, including a movie with Jack Benny as its star. When the 1952 Frank Loesser and George Abbott musical, renamed Where’s Charley?, hit the Broadway stage with Ray Bolger in the lead it was an instant hit and eventually made into a movie with Bolger reprising his lead role.
The time and place is 1892 at Oxford University, England. The undergrads including Charley and best friend Jack Chesney (James Bock) are preparing for the Red Rose Cotillion. They need a chaperon who will allow a bit of hanky-prank (not a proper English word). Charley’s wealthy, widowed Aunt Donna Lucia (gorgeous Stephanie Rhoads) from Brazil fits the bill. Jacks father the widowed Sir Francis Chesney (John-Elliot Kirk) has lost his fortune and Jack suggests he marry the rich Donna. The best laid plans etc. unfold and Donna misses her train and will not show up on time. Charley is dressed as an older woman for his role in a student play and Jack cons him into playing his Aunt Donna. Good/bad idea.
The love interests are Charley loves Amy (Abby Sammons) and Jack loves Kitty (Jennifer Mitchell). Complications abound when Amy’s father/Kitty’s guardian, the avarice minded “Spettigue” (Scott Hayes) decides he will pursue the rich Donna unbeknownst of the true identity (imposter) of “Charley’s Aunt.” Further complications occur when the real Aunt Donna arrives and her true love is Jack’s father.
Since this is a farce there should be the obligatory four (or more doors) to allow the quick changes and chase scenes. Scenic designer Hector Zavala and director Dyan McBride have devised a simple attractive set with the “doors” being open arches allowing breakneck speed in the many “chase scenes.” The staging of a tea party with Charley/Donna as host(ess) is an absolute riot.
You will be humming some of the tunes that include: “The New Ashmolean Marching Society and Students’ Conservatory Band”, “My Darling, My Darling”, “Make a Miracle”, “Lovelier than Ever” and the show stopper “Once In Love With Amy.”
Every member of the cast performs with élan and the singing voices are a pleasure to hear. Keith Pinto who has often graced local stages has the right amount of class to make the swift changes from Charley’s aunt to Charley a joy to observe. In his solo of the signature song from the show, “Once in Love with Amy” he has the audience happily singing along with him.
Abby Sammons and Jennifer Mitchell have almost identical soprano singing voices that are a pleasure to hear. Abby Sammons received thunderous applause when she belted “The Woman in his Room.” The patter song “The Gossips” just misses the mark.
This highly recommended 2 hour and 20 minute show (with intermission) ends with spiffy dressed cast performing “At the Red Rose Cotillion.”
CAST: Keith Pinto as Charley; James Bock as “Jack Chesney,”; Roy Eilkeberry as “Percy”; Scott Hayes as “Spettigue”; John-Elliot Kirk as “Sir Francis Chesney”; Kate Leyva as “Violet”; Maria Mikheyenko as “Doretta”; Jennifer Mitchell as “Kitty Verdun”; Noelani Neal as “Rosamund”; Stephanie Rhoads as “Donna Lucia”; Abby Sammons as “Amy Spettigue”; Zac Schuman as “Albert,”; Stephen Vaught as “Brassett/Wilkinson” and Tim Wagner as “Reggie”.
CREATIVE STAFF: Director. Dyan McBride; Musical Director, Lauren Mayer; Choreographer; Nancy Dobbs Owen; Set Design, Hector Zavala; Costumes, Rebecca Valentino; Lighting Design, Danny Maher; Stage Manager, Daniel Schultz, Props: Daniel Schultz; Production Manager: Hector Zavala.
Kedar K. Adour, MD
Courtesy of www.theatreworldinternetmagazine.com
Photos by David Allen
Spettigue (Scott Hayes, back) takes an interest in Charley while he is disguised as his aunt (Keith Pinto) in 42nd Street Moon’s production of Where’s Charley? now playing through May 17 at The Eureka Theatre.
Keith Pinto, Abby Sammons, James Bock, Jennifer Mitchell, Stephanie Rhoads, and John-Elliot Kirk star in 42nd Street Moon’s production of Where’s Charley? playing April 29-May 17 at
The Eureka Theatre.
