"The Sound of Music" Perfect Production at Beef & Boards

          There is no way Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II could top themselves after creating  the musical based on "The Trapp Family Singers". This musical "The Sound of Music" looms high as the world's most beloved musical.

          First of all, it was a delightful surprise to see Suzanne Stark on the Beef & Boards stage again. As the Mother Abbess, she proved she can still belt those songs out the way she used to. She has lost not one iota of talent since playing her majestic title role in "Kiss Me Kate" years ago. It was wonderful hearing her voice again. A talent like hers should not be wasted nor ignored.

          Of course the show revolves around Maria, fantastically portrayed by Cara Statham Serber. Nobody could take command of the stage away from her. The stern and whistle -blowing Captain von Trapp was played by David  Schmittou who had the difficult task of being charming at the same time. He pulled it off without a hitch.

          His seven children were delightful on stage.  Thomas Whitcomb, Kennedy Martin, Isaac Herzog, Madison Moll, Lucy Neal, Emma Rogers and especially Hillary Smith as Liesl, who had a voice like a  breath of springtime, made up this glorious family.

          Eddie Curry can add to his enormous resume of outstanding characters the role of Max  which he played magnificently. Sarah Hund played the role of Elsa (Maria's rival) with dignity.

          Adding to the cast were Jeff Stockberger, Nicholas Jones, Paul Nicely, and Ken Klingenmeier. 

         The spirits were kept high by the rousing musical tempos provided by orchestra conductor Kristly Templet. The scenic design by Michael Layton added to the evening's enjoyment, as well as the costumes by Jill Kelly.

          The person in charge of the casting deserves an A Plus as well as director Elizabeth Stark.

         Usually familiarity breeds contempt. In this "The Sound of Music " there is plenty of familiarity and absolutely no contempt. I have seen over 50 productions of "The Sound of Music" and this Beef & boards productions is the best one yet.


         

    

"9 to 5 the musical" SURPRISE HIT AT B&B

          Who expected "9 to 5 the musical" to be such a great entertainment at the Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre? Not me, I readily admit.  I thought I knew the story, but I was wrong. I was thoroughly engrossed on what was happening on stage,just like the rest of the audience.

          This show was snappy, vibrant and full of energy. It had a completely different feeling than what I expected. This show is different, wonderfully different. The music and lyrics are by Dolly Parton.  The clever book is by Patricia Resnick.. The show is based upon the 20th Century Fox motion picture, but is far more exciting. 

          So many deserve credit for creating such a wonderful atmosphere, In no special order I shall mention the crew. Director Eddie Curry pulled out all stops, leaving no dull spots at all.  Ron Morgan's choreography was interesting and imaginative. The scenic design by Michael Layton was just what this show needed. The lighting design by Ryan Koharchik was brilliant.

          And now to the extremely talented cast headed by three incomparable ladies, Annie Edgerton  as Violet,  Crystal Mosser as Doralee  and Sarah Hund as Judy.  As magnificent as these three were there were two more ladies that deserve huge credit, Joanna Krupnick as Roz the lovesick secretary and Deb Wims as Margaret the drunk. Andrew Lebon played the maniacal boss with relish. He reminded me of the comic John Cleese with his long legs. I would love to see these marvelous six performers in more  Beef & Boards productions. I was really impressed with these enormously talented  people. In this production each one had the opportunity to shine and show off their enormous talent.

         I cannot reiterate enough how unusual and different this show is. It runs through to March 24th. I certainly would strive to see this wonderful entertainment. You will be surprised as much as I was.

"THE FOX ON THE FAIRWAY"

          Ken Ludwig's humorous play about snooty country club golf tournaments, "The Fox on the Fairway", is playing at the Booth Tarkington Civic Theatre in the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. Ludwig is also known for his comic plays, "Crazy for You", "Moon Over Buffalo", "Twentieth Century", "The Game's Afoot",  and "Sullivan and Gilbert". But Ken Ludwig is most famous for his brilliant witty comedy, "Lend Me a Tenor", produced on Broadway by Andrew Lloyd Webber. It seems Ludwig keeps striving to match the success  of "Lend Me a Tenor" but just cannot get over the hump.

           His plays all have a touch of "Lend Me a Tenor", because Ken Ludwig is a very witty man, but none are as entertaining. "The Fox on the Fairway" was surprisingly disappointing due to the enormous expectation of  a Ken Ludwig play.

          Director Robert J. Sorbera pulled out his humorous shenanigans to make the show entertaining. His signature was all over the production. The set and lighting design by Ryan Koharchik were very unique as usual. The special effects were extraordinary, especially toward the end of the show when a golf tournament was in progress. 

          Jean Childers-Arnold plays the ingenue with gusto. Lynda Goeke exudes authority in her role as the wife of Parrish Williams  whose country club snobbery gets the best of him. Geoffrey McKinney plays the juvenile with the same amount of gusto as his counterpart. Melissa Mellinger plays the femme fatale with just the right sexiness. But the one who really impresses with his energy and characterization is Paul Ellis, whose outrageous costuming helps his flamboyance. 

          "The Fox in the Fairway" end its runs February 23rd.  The Civic climaxes its season with the musical, "Into the Woods", starting April 26th.