|
Be prepared to laugh at pure, 'ruthless' comedy
By
DAVID DOW BENTLEY III
“The
People’s Critic”
(The Courier
08.18.01) | Those
of you who enjoy farce, campy humor and parodies of classic
Broadway shows and Hollywood films, should hurry on down to the
Masquerade Theater. The rest of you please remain behind. Our
subject is the musical comedy, "Ruthless." With a
clever book and lyrics by Joel Paley, some pleasant music by
Marvin Laird, and generally sharp direction by Gary Lyons, you
should be prepared for lots of laughs!
I don't want to leave the impression this is a perfect evening
of theater, but if you can overlook some barren stretches and
occasional flaws, you may just have a jolly good time. The
outrageous plot revolves around eight year old would-be child
star, Tina Denmark, hilariously and viciously played by
attractive adult, Katherine Randolph. Tina's mother, Judy,
(Deanna Julian) is so devoted to the budding child star that she
has no real identity of her own. Julian, one of the better
voices in this cast, puts that point across early on in the
witty opening song, "Tina's Mother." With her perfect
hair, string of pearls and crisp apron, she is the consummate
June Cleaver as stage mom.
Now enter the mysterious Sylvia, played with high camp by Clint
Biggerstaff, looking every inch a cross between Mama Rose in
"Gypsy," and Auntie Mame. His broad comedy is often
right on target, but the singing voice needs work in musical
numbers like "Talent." Sylvia wants to manage the
career of young Tina who will literally stop at nothing to get
the lead in the Third Grade play, "Pippi Longstocking."
Tina shows off her Baby Jane-style talents as she sings and taps
the cute "Born to Entertain." The show's many
Stephanie Bradow costumes, especially those for the children and
for Sylvia, (In Act II she looks like a cross between Carmen
Miranda and Minnie Pearl) are uniformly hilarious and
outlandish.
Allison Sumrall is a comedic scene-stealer as Miss Thorn, Tina's
teacher. Tina's audition number, "To Play This Part,"
is a riot that hints of her ruthlessness. Sumrall offers a great
spoof in "Teaching Third Grade," with amusing lyrics
like "Life is a bitch, and it starts in third grade!"
Miss Sumrall's performance as a classroom tyrant is great fun.
Tina's tantrum, when she is reduced to playing a dog and doesn't
get the show's lead, is not to be missed! Then the plot takes a
black-comic twist when Sylvia engineers Tina as understudy to
the show's star, Louise Lerman (played for plenty of laugh by
Melissa Moores.) Lerman's "Pippi's Song," sung in
outrageous red yarn pigtails, is a fun-filled romp with lines
like "I never learned to read or write, and I can't spell
hermaphrodite." But shortly thereafter Louise meets with
foul play backstage. I dare not say more lest I spoil some of
the many comic surprises that follow.
Rounding out the cast were Holly Vee as Lita Encore, and Emily
Block as Libby Evans. Ms. Vee's big number, "I Hate
Musicals" was clever, but her Ethel Merman-style effort did
not always succeed. Ms. Block provides a humorous
characterization as Libby, a snooping reporter from "Modern
Thespian," who just might be a lesbian. Credit also goes to
Amy R. Ross for attractive set designs and to Gary Lyons and
Stephen Harrelson for keyboard accompaniment.
There were many more plot twists and some tighter editing would
have helped. But there are plenty of witty take-offs on famous
lines from shows and movies. There are numerous fine songs like
"Angel Mom," and a strong mother-daughter duet of
"Parents and Children." Julian's best moment came in a
"Gypsy" parody with "It Can Never Be That Way
Again." As for me, I wouldn't mind seeing this show again
in an off-Broadway theater with the finest vocalists available.
I think it might go over very well.
THE MASQUERADE THEATRE is located at 1537 N. Shepherd in the
Heights. (Moments from the Durham / N. Shepherd exit of loop
610) Beer, wine and snacks are available at performances.
"RUTHLESS" runs Thurs.-Sat. at 8p.m. with 2p.m.
matinees Sundays through September 1, 2001. The intimate theater
seats only about 65 patrons, so call ahead for reservations.
(713-861-7045) Tickets are $20 adults and $15 seniors /
students. On Thursday nights, buy one and get one free.
Mr. Bentley's columns are featured in newspapers from the East
Coast to the Gulf Coast and may be viewed on the website at:
www.ThePeoplesCritic.com E-mail address: ThePeoplesCritic@earthlink.net
Bentley’s columns, featured in newspapers
from the East Coast to the Gulf Coast, may be viewed on the website at
www.ThePeoplesCritic.com
while E-mail may be addressed to
ThePeoplesCritic@earthlink.net
|