Floris UMC: The Music Man

Floris UMC:  The Music Man

Floris United Methodist Church, Herndon, VA, August 9-11, 2012

Sadie Jones

Drove over in storm threatening skies to see the Floris UMC first full length musical only because I had read in the Centreview Mike Cash was playing the mayor. Loved Mr. Cash as the Scarecrow, Cogsworth, Grandpa Joe and Wilbur Turnblad in previous Alliance theatre productions and was not disappointed here. Actually saw quite a few TAT actors and familiar faces from 11 other local theaters. The director, Barbara Carpenter, used a well rounded adult cast to its full potential and polished the teens and children as bright as pennies.

Floris UMC has one of the longest stages in the area, allowing for seamless scene transitions from one side to the other. The set design, dressing and props were rivaled only by the costumes. Everything was top notch. The orchestra was a little loud for some of the younger voices to sing over as they played the old, well known tunes to a happy, swaying, toe tapping audience.

Newlyweds Ward and Katie Ferguson as Harold Hill and Marion Paroo, had us on the edge of our seats waiting to see what we knew would happen. Mike Cash and Laura Kelmelis as tongue tied Mayor George Shin and his involved wife Eulie had us laughing out loud. The squabbling School Board, Alex Bhargava, Ron Kronz, Jim Edwards, Jim Daily, transformed into a charming barbershop quartet right on key. John Totten was a wronged and righteously indignant Charlie Cowell.

The large cast acted not only during monologues and snappy conversations but also as they danced and sang, which is expected from a more established theatre group. It was a pleasant surprise for so young a company. Great choreography, staging, musical direction, hair and make up. It would take pages to describe in detail how good the production was and neither you nor I have time for that. So, I’ll only mention one more person.

Samuel Elliott played the shy, awkward Winthrop Paroo who comes out of his shell when Prof. Harold Hill brings the promise of a boy’s band to town. My theatre buddy, Cookie, is of the opinion this little boy stole the show. I disagree. But I will say he stole my heart.

TAT: Legally Blonde, The Musical

TAT: Legally Blonde, The Musical

 The Alliance Theatre    July 27-August 5, 2012   Chantilly High School

Sadie Jones

Recently ran into an acquaintance who, like me, saw the last show of TAT’s summer production Legally Blonde. He jabbered about how wonderful it was. Surprised at his enthusiasm I asked “what did you like about it?” He said “You know, the girl who played Ellie and the one who played the hairdresser were fantastic”. And, that about sums it up.

Taylin Frame was a brilliant not-so-dumb blonde Elle Woods. Kathy Arnold was funny and endearing as Paulette the Hairdresser. Both of them had the best voices in the show.

If my friend searched his memory he may have remarked Gray O’Reilly warmed up to his role as Emmett Forrest by the second act. Warren Huntington, played by David McVicar, was as shallow, callous and slick as he could be, but had no chemistry with his northeast beauty Vivienne. And although Michael Clendenin was the cold hearted, stereotypical lawyer as Professor Callahan, I didn’t believe he had sexual harassed anyone. The only believable and fun to watch couple was Kathy Arnold (Paulette) and Brian Johnson, (Kyle the delivery guy). Those two could have stolen the show. 

Amanda Mason who played Vivienne, was too young and too nice personally to make us believe she was a conniving ice queen. Ms. Mason’s singing added to our listening pleasure but she may have been better cast as a Delta Nut.

And here is the big casting question, Why not cast more people who can sing and dance if you are doing a musical? Unless previously mentioned, the voices were unremarkable.  The program said there were two chorographers and a dance captain. The dancing consisted mainly of stomping and clapping plus a simplistic Irish jig. In the vernacular of Aunt McFee, “If it was a horse I would have shot it”.

The Wardrobe dept. started and ended with the main characters. It was as if the cast searched their own closets for what they thought was appropriate for each scene. TAT followed Broadway’s lead by leaving the law school set in plain sight during the show while pushing out props and min-sets. It was distracting on stage that size.

Ending on a positive note, the orchestra gets full marks. They played gallantly behind the curtain in what must have been sweltering conditions.

See you later,

Sadie

CFTC: Into The Woods

City of Fairfax Theatre Company : Into the Woods

Had decided not to write about CFTC’s  Into the Woods last week because it was the last showing. Frequently I see shows on the last weekend, so haven’t shared observations on a half a dozen venues this past spring and summer.  I saw NovaShowbiz as a vehicle to comment on shows people had a chance to buy tickets. My mind’s been changed.

City of Fairfax Theatre Company started in 2009 on a frayed shoe string budget and no home to call its own. You know, the usual way to start a theatre company. Still they managed to put on a couple of productions a year, run a Youth Ensemble during the school year and a summer camp. Many of the un-paid staff are FCPS teachers whose calling it is to bring out the best in the next generation. As of August 1, CFTC has suspended operations, http://www.fairfaxcitytheatre.org/fairfaxcitytheatre.org/Home.html.

It’s a shame. Into the Woods was delightful. The set was beautifully constructed with a live orchestra silhouetted behind a canopy of trees and undergrowth. Offstage sounds and lighting was everything it should be. And the voices were clear as bells. The production was not perfect, but well worth the price of the ticket.

If anyone has the energy or assets to help these folks out, the NoVa theater community would be the better for it.

See you later,

Sadie