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Alvin Randall for the Signal
Ramblin'
Randall's Review
Ideally each number in a stage musical should achieve three things. Musical theater West's production of KISS ME KATE, at Carpenter Center, does at least that. Cole Porter composer/lyricist is the genius. Each number (even the scene-change ones) advances the plot - reveals the characters - elucidates the playwright's notions, plus of course, captivates the audience.
We're amused and 'amoved'. We're titivated and titillated. The melodies go from sweet to snappy to sultry. The words are witty and wise - even wistful. The dancing is enhancing - the romantic is 'enchantic'. Cole Porter is a genius.
David Engel (M.T.W.'s favorite musical leading-man), plays actor/director Fred Graham, performing Petruchio in his production of Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew. Engel gives us that subtle touch of ham in his Fred Graham and that supple touch of panache in his Petruchio. His physical agility and vocal acuity span operatic to low-down. He's top of his form and top of the hill. Leading lady Elizabeth Ward Land, as Leading Lady Lilli Vanessi (ex-Mrs. Graham), plays Kate (Katherine Minola) as Shakespeare requires, and Lilli, as Cole Porter creates her. She's propelled and devilish for Wm. S., and proper and 'diva-ish' for C. P. Lilli is planning to marry - a General this time.
Kate's
younger sister, Bianca, cannot marry until after Kathryn does, rules their
father. Elna Binckes, as Lois, playing Bianca, sprinkles all the saucy seduction,
seasoning the frolicking. William Akey, as Lois' actor/boyfriend, Bill,
plays Lucentio, Bianca's suitor - both with equal mastery for each.
Carol Dennis plays Hattie, the diva's dresser. Her contralto reverberates the premises and vibrates the vertebrae. Hattie dresses the stage. Gerry McIntyre, as Paul, Hattie's counterpart, covers the stage with his singing and dancing - boogie to ballet.
Hank Wilson, as Baptista, the sisters' self-conflicted father, does extra duty as Harry Trevor.
Billy Beadle also does double duty as "stage doorman" Pops, and the Padua Priest. You'll now know, without perusing the program, they're so good.
Joining Lucentio (William Akey), as suitors of Bianca are Vincent Boyle as Gremio and Production Dance Captain: Bill Szobody as Hortencio. These three dance up a whirlwind, each trying to blow the others away, so as to sweep up Bianca.
They lead a squad of dancer/singer characters who count and make every note and step count, in no doubt order they are: Sara Andreas, Skye Angulo, Lindsey Branker, Heather Corrigan, Julian DeWitt, Lindi Duesenberg, Glenn Edward, David Gamboa, Ari Gonzalez, James Gruessing Jr., Linda Elizabeth Neel, Nicholas Probst, Kristy Takacs, and Anne Fraser Thomas keep the energy flowing in torrents.
They are charged up by the backing of Stephan Gothold, Musical Director, waving his electrical conductor-wand.
All of these performers are the deliverers of Jane Lanier's imaginative, precise, appropriate, choreography. These performers are cajoled and corralled by trail-boss, Director Rick Sparks, sparking his company with an electric-conductor prod - - directing in all needed directions.
Some of the best comic scenes are shared by David Hollatay and Roy Leake Jr. ("First Man" and "Second Man"); they have the force to enforce - 'abiding by one's word' - guns. They sell a number so cleaver, "Brush Up Your Shakespeare", Gilbert and Sullivan would be jealous, and Shakespeare would be pouty. The lyrics, often risqué, include titles and quotes from Wm. S's canon. Neither the FBI nor the Mafia has found these guys.
You must recognize (or learn to) "Why Can't You Behave", "Wunderbar", "I Hate Men", "Too Darn Hot", "Always True To You In My Fashion", "From this Moment On", "So In Love", and many more. Noah York, as General Harrison Howell, is the frosting, the frosty Porter version of a current 'modern major general'. His orders result in a conclusion, "As You Like It". 'Intendo, Innuendo, In-the-endo'! Cole Porter is a genius.
7/11/2004
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