{"id":4090,"date":"2012-11-06T12:02:14","date_gmt":"2012-11-06T20:02:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/forallevents.com\/reviews\/?p=4090"},"modified":"2012-11-06T14:41:44","modified_gmt":"2012-11-06T22:41:44","slug":"so-nice-to-come-home-to-cinnabar-theater-petaluma-ca","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/forallevents.com\/reviews\/so-nice-to-come-home-to-cinnabar-theater-petaluma-ca\/","title":{"rendered":"\u201cSo Nice To Come Home To\u201d, Cinnabar Theater, Petaluma CA"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"<\/a>

Michael McGurk and Elly Lichenstein<\/p><\/div>\n

Review by Suzanne and Greg Angeo<\/p>\n

\u00a0Photo by Eric Chazankin<\/em><\/address>\n
\u00a0<\/address>\n

A Sentimental Journey With Mixed Blessings<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\u00a0It\u2019s Labor Day weekend, 1944, and all over America there are stars hanging in windows where the home fires are burning bright; stars that tell the world these families have men in the Armed Forces, fighting the enemies of freedom, fighting a battle with so much at stake. But the star in the window of one home in particular is not quite what it seems. In its world premiere at Cinnabar, \u201cSo Nice To Come Home To\u201d is an intensely sensitive drama graced with spirit-lifting anthems and bright flashes of musical comedy. It\u2019s a tender valentine to that time and place, and to that Greatest Generation, with a surprising twist to the story that makes it truly unique entertainment.<\/p>\n

The idea for \u201cSo Nice\u2026\u201d was first hatched when Cinnabar Theater founder Jan Klebe<\/strong> approached local composer Richard Evans<\/strong> with a commission to write an original musical to help celebrate Cinnabar\u2019s 40th<\/sup> Anniversary this year. One condition: the material must be based on the work of JM Barrie<\/strong>, best known as the author of \u201cPeter Pan\u201d. \u00a0Barrie\u2019s WW I-era play \u201cThe Old Lady Shows Her Medals\u201d ultimately was chosen as the primary inspiration for this new musical. \u00a0Evans brought East coast playwright Kate Hancock<\/strong> on board, and together they updated Barrie\u2019s storyline to a World War II home front setting. This is familiar territory for Evans, and one close to his heart; he grew up during the war, with family members in military service, and even played \u201cbig band\u201d tunes with war veterans while in high school. He and Ms Hancock also partnered on the music, with Hancock penning the lyrics and Evans creating the original musical score. \u00a0Indeed, many of the songs in \u201cSo Nice\u2026\u201d are inspired by the period, especially those in the second half of the first act. Most of the music, however, includes song styles you might hear in more contemporary musicals.<\/p>\n

The onstage talent\u00a0in\u00a0Cinnabar’s newest\u00a0production is extraordinary. A special surprise is Cinnabar Artistic Director Elly Lichenstein<\/strong> in the lead role of lonely, middle-aged Kate, with her soaring operatic vocals and thread-the-needle emotional power. Broadway pro Michael McGurk<\/strong> as Ken, a young soldier home on leave, really dazzles in his performance. He embodies triple-threat stage presence by virtue of his excellence in acting, singing and dancing. Also outstanding is Stephen Walsh<\/strong> as everybody\u2019s friend Al O\u2019Donahu, who at one point finds himself as MC at the legendary Stage Door Canteen in a show \u201cfor the boys\u201d.<\/p>\n

Speaking of the boys, noted Bay area cabaret singer Michael Van Why<\/strong> is the show-stopping \u201cZiegfeld Man\u201d Bill Brannigan, whose routine featuring a gaudy Carmen Miranda<\/strong> impression is an absolute scream. Evans told us that he wrote two numbers with Van Why specifically in mind, with a nod to his acclaimed 2009 appearance in \u201cLa Cage Aux Folles\u201d at 6th<\/sup> Street Playhouse.<\/p>\n

A murky subplot of the story is Kate\u2019s ongoing relationship with her ex-husband Harry, a business mogul played with stiff plutocratic authority by Bill Neely<\/strong>. Valentina Osinsi<\/strong> has a dual role as Kate\u2019s resolute gal pal Jean and Harry\u2019s new trophy wife Eleanore.\u00a0 She is thoroughly convincing in each, very different role, with a lovely light soprano voice. Michael Van Why shows his versatility in a small, hysterically funny second role as Harry and Eleanore\u2019s ancient and absent-minded butler, Tombs.<\/p>\n

Director Ann Woodhead<\/strong> makes good basic choices in moving her actors through each scene. They do everyday tasks and walk about naturally as they speak. However, at times some elements of lighting and sound do not serve the story as well as they could. Lighting is a powerful tool of stagecraft that helps designate a change of scene, with varying colors and intensity. In \u201cSo Nice\u2026\u201d it\u2019s used to excellent effect in some scenes. But at other times, like when Kate and Ken are visiting certain sights of New York City, the lighting remains unchanged, as does the set. Even though suspension of disbelief is usually expected of an audience, you don\u2019t want them to work too hard at it. Sound presents another problem – during musical numbers, those seated in the first few rows on the right-hand side of the theater may have trouble hearing the performers\u2019 vocals. Because of the orchestra\u2019s placement, it just drowns out anyone onstage for those unlucky enough to be seated in the wrong place. Conductor Mary Chun\u2019s<\/strong> four-piece band brings great energy to the musical score. For the most part, it\u2019s effective in presenting the songs of the period, but recorded music and radio bits are essential to fill in the blanks, and they do.<\/p>\n

Certain elements of the story seem to need further development to be fully satisfying, like the future of Kate and Harry\u2019s relationship, or the way Ken comes into, and leaves, their lives. It seems like more could have been done to bring the tale full circle. But even so, this is a truly unique, surprising, and touching musical journey to a time our country cannot afford to forget.<\/p>\n

When: Now through November 11, 2012 <\/strong><\/p>\n

8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays<\/strong><\/p>\n

2 p.m. <\/strong>Sunday November 11 <\/strong><\/p>\n

Tickets: $25 to $35<\/strong><\/p>\n

Location: Cinnabar Theater <\/strong><\/p>\n

3333 Petaluma Blvd North<\/strong>, Petaluma CA<\/strong>
\nPhone: 707-763-8920 <\/strong><\/p>\n

Website: <\/strong>www.cinnabartheater.org<\/strong><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Review by Suzanne and Greg Angeo \u00a0Photo by Eric Chazankin \u00a0 A Sentimental Journey With Mixed Blessings \u00a0It\u2019s Labor Day weekend, 1944, and all over America there are stars hanging…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"yasr_overall_rating":0,"yasr_post_is_review":"","yasr_auto_insert_disabled":"","yasr_review_type":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-4090","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-greg-suzanne-angeo"},"yasr_visitor_votes":{"stars_attributes":{"read_only":true,"span_bottom":"