TheatreDate.com Reviews

Community Review by Destiny Noel

Guys and Dolls is a story of the many gambles in New York City during the 1940s. Overall, the show was very well thought out and detailed; from the sets to the costumes to the scene changes. I couldn’t see how director Bob Maness could have done better.

The plot was rather complex, but it boiled down to be that Nathan Detroit (played by Andy Dutch), a well known leader of a gambling ring, needs money to pay for a game location. The bad news is he doesn’t have it, so he makes a “fixed” bet with well known gambler Sky Masterson (played by Evan Allen). The bet for a thousand dollars is that Sky can’t take missionary Sarah Brown (played by Kristen Williams) to Havana with him… And so the plot ensues.

Right away actor Jacob Carr, who plays Nathan’s henchmen Nicely-Nicely Johnson, stole the show. He played his character seamlessly, no pauses, no mess-ups, nothing caught him off guard. He hit everything spot on: a consistent New York accent, an apparently confident stature, and great of portrayal a glutinous gambler. That was just the icing on the cake; Nathan’s Fiancée Adelaide (played by Andrea Petree), a singer and dancer at a club, kept an extremely nasally voice and Bronx accent for the majority of the show. Unfortunately it was a little off and on, especially in her musical numbers, but Petree still pulled it off well. Also, a few of the unnamed extras shone, for example actress Makenzie White (whose character sold newspapers) was able to be convincing in every scene in which she appeared without so much as a word.

Other great acting was found in the many less prominent gamblers. These roles were very physically demanding, thanks to choreography by Kate Reeves, and each gambler was able to flip over, sing and sound good at the same time. The rest of the choreography was very well put together and smooth, accept for the opening scene which was a little choppy. An especially impressive aspect was that most of the dances in show matched those you might have seen in the 1940s.

The costumes were also historically accurate for the most part. Although there were a few pairs of tennis shoes used as dress shoes, generally the costumes were well thought out with attention to detail. Costumes were specific down to matching ties, vests and suspenders. The costumes which actors wore throughout the show matched their characters; a singer at a club wearing many different questionable outfits, a kid who sells newspapers in short overalls and a big tycoon always wearing a gun belt.

The props and sets were simply designed yet effective to carry out their purpose. The props were another element that yet again was very detailed; such as a newspaper stand with magazines dated 1947, 1941and 1938 even though it was unlikely anyone would be looking at them. The money that the gamblers carried everywhere was another example, from the back each bill looked real (with the exception of different shades of green), but on the front were pictures of the major gamblers in the show.

The sets were very fitting to the scenes, a city backdrop quite obviously New York City, a basic nightclub and a sewer set, but they were not necessarily durable. There were a few instances were a pipe fell, a prop or two slid off a table, a set piece shook on contact etc. There were also a few set pieces that were difficult to maneuver around; that a character had difficulty stepping over it, and other minor things. The good thing was that set changes were very smooth; no pauses or false closings or openings of the curtains. However the transitions were a bit loud.

The different sets were well complimented by the lighting. Again not extravagant, but it worked. The lighting was done is such a way that not very many spotlights were needed; mostly white and blue full stage lights were used. This did made your attention drift off the main part of the scene though.

The music was also well done, the different harmonies throughout the show was spot on. There were very few missed notes, but the actors stayed true to character even in song.

Through out this show I think the thing that made it a success was consistency. The accents were continually the same throughout the show. Each character was consistently seen in the same type of costume. The timing and rhythm was consistent, no long pauses and no times of speed. Thanks to the timing, particularly comedic, the audience was able to laugh, applaud and gasp as a group.

I think that overall the show was a success. There were a few little details that were off, but it could have been that I went to the second night. To the cast and crew… A job well done!

Just in time for Father’s Day fun, the Chico Theater Company presents a family show about a family man in their production of “Father Knows Best.”

Based on the show that amused both early television viewers and radio listeners alike, this production is entertainingly outdated.

The play revolves around one man’s home coming after a long day at work. Jim Anderson (played by Darren Clark) comes home expecting to find a hot meal and a happy family. He takes off his sports jacket and slips into a comfortable, baby blue sweeter anticipating some peace and quiet. But his peace is quickly broken when his loving wife Margaret (played by Andrea Doughman) informs him that the washing machine is on the frits and even worse, dinner isn’t ready.

Jim makes the best of the situation by sitting down with his daily newspaper before dinner for some quiet reading. But he reads troubling news about a teenage couple’s failed elopement. Outraged by the over-sexed youths of the day he forbids his oldest daughter Betty (played by Cassi Nicolas) from going out on a date she has planed for the evening.

In an attempt to protect his family from a hostile world he demands that all his children and his wife cancel their evening plans. His son Bud (played by Kevin White) can’t go to basketball practice and his youngest daughter Kathy (played by Courtney Doughman) has to cancel sleep over plans with her friend Patty (played by Katie Van Patten). Instead of going out, Jim tells his family to invite their friends in. Soon Betty’s date Ralph (played by Tyler Davis), Bud’s basketball team and 10-year-old Patty are all set loose around the house.

In addition to their other guests, Margaret’s rumor spreading society friends (played by Lindsay Ashcraft, Morgan Reeves and Ronda Morse) drop by, along with a washing machine repairman (played by Roger Hart) and Jim’s prospective business client Mr. Brinkworth (played by Marc Edson).

When Jim’s daughter Betty tries to escape with her date in all the pandemonium, Jim calls the police, and the party is soon joined by Officer Johnson (played by Mark Doughman) and wayward youth specialist Detective Jenkins (played by Brandy Jackson).

All of Jim’s best intentions turn against him and everything that can go wrong does. But like all good sitcoms peace is soon restored and, of course, it all works out in the end.

Director Joe Garrow loved the script when he and producer Marc Edson read it over vacation, he said. Of the dozens of scripts they read “Father Knows Best” stood out.

“We really look for more family oriented, light hearted stuff,” Garrow said. “I’ve always been a fan of the old black and white sitcoms.”

Indeed “Nick at Nite” would be proud of this production, which draws upon all the old sitcom sappiness. Clark’s portrayal of the overbearing 1950’s style dad is comical and committed. His interaction with the other members of his family builds on the strong foundation of the Kristin Sergel script.

In addition to the fine work of the cast playing the Anderson family, the colorful collage of supporting cast members adds a good deal of depth to the comic layering of the play.

Garrow was pleased with the efforts made by the cast of mostly fresh faces, he said. Actors with limited stage experience filled many of the play’s lead roles.

“There are a lot of new comers in this show,” he said.

But at least one of the play’s performers is no newcomer to the CTC experience. In fact he’s kind of the theater’s resident father himself. Marc Edson is the theater’s owner, and although he obviously spends a lot of time around the set, he’s not usually on stage.

He asked to be in the show, Garrow said, and the director was happy to put him in the cast.

“One thing about Marc and I is we really work well together,” Garrow said.

Edson’s addition to the cast rounded out a quality group, and if you want to see him on stage this might be you’re only chance till next season. Directing shows and running a theater doesn’t leave much time for acting Edson said, so this was a pleasant, but rare experience for him.

“About once a year I can get up there,” he said after the show.

So go see him and the rest of the cast before it’s too late. And if you still can’t decide what to get your own father for Father’s Day, don’t forget that there is a special Father’s Day matinee at 2 p.m. on June 17th.

Honey, put the kids in the minivan, we’re going out to the CTC.

The Chico Theater Company is putting on a show for the whole family. Disney’s “High School Musical” is a high energy, fast-paced look at high school life, Disney style.

The show, directed by CTC owner Marc C. Edson, follows the lives of two high school kids. Not necessarily star crossed lovers, but something along those lines.

High school basketball star Troy Bolton (played by Bryant Jarrard) is drawn into trying out for the school musical, a secret he wants to keep from his macho jock friends.

At the same time the new girl in school Gabreilla Montz (played by Emily Peitz) tries to find her place in her new environment. Before long she exposes herself as a math wiz and falls in with the brainiac crowed.

But the two have a past that none of their friends know about. Over winter break they met at a ski lodge and melted the nights away with hot karaoke. A shame Bolton doesn’t think he can live with if his teammates find out.

The story is as old as time, but the young actors give it new life. The two try to keep their affection for each other a secret from friends, family, and rival lovers. Bad luck, bad timing and bad people spoil all their plans, and just when things look hopeless, everything works out just right.

It’s just the kind of family show Edson likes to put on at the CTC, he said. His daughter turned him on to the project about two years ago, and when the licensing was made available, he put in a bid the same day. Friday night he watched the kids he directed take the stage.

“I was really happy with them,” he said. “They just really came alive tonight. They really wanted to work hard and put on a good show.”

The show itself was robust with multiple full-cast dance numbers and songs that showed the exuberance of the young cast. Their energy kept the show entertaining and interesting. Quick set changes and good pacing kept the audience engaged from the time the curtain went up, until it dropped again.

Anytime you get young actors on a stage there are going to be some rough edges, and this show is no exception. There were some missed notes and some dropped choreography, but nothing that couldn’t happen at any show and certainly nothing that took away from the over all enjoyability of the performance.

The choreographic accomplishments were especially impressive when you consider the limited experience of the majority of the cast.

Choreographer Joe Garrow was more then pleased with the way the performance went.

“These kids just worked really hard to accomplish what they did,” he said. “Believe it or not, none of these kids are dancers.”

All and all I was impressed by the maturity and over all professionalism of the cast. But above them all, Petiz showed like a bright light. To say that she stole the show with her performance would be an understatement. Her voice was crisp, clear, strong, soft, evocative and engaging. It’s hard to believe that at the age of 18, she wasn’t nervous before taking the stage for her first big lead, but she maintains she was the essence of cool.

“I’ve been more nervous before other shows,” she said. And with the kind of talent she has, I think we can believe that she had nothing to worry about. She’s got a lifetime of experience to draw from. “I’ve sung ever since I was young,” she said. If we’re lucky, she’ll still be singing even when she’s old.