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Los Alamitos News Enterprise By Andrew C. Lachina
With Valentine's Day a few days away, what better thoughts can there be
than of love and marriage?
Now at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center at Long Beach State, Musical theatre West's production of "Me and My Girl debuted Saturday, Feb. 8, to a sold out house.
If you ever wanted to experience genuine English musical comedy, this production will save you thousands of dollars by avoiding the burden of having to make a trans-Atlantic trip to obtain such an experience.
This is the story of a common lad from the poor section of London who inherits a noble title and fortune, provided he can transform himself to fit into the class level the title requires him to have.
During this attempt to transform Bill Snibson (brilliantly played by veteran actor Wayne Bryan) into a noble, the inevitable love conflict between his "common" girlfriend, Sally Smith (portrayed wonderfully by Bets Malone) splits the family against this love affair.
Aunt maria and sir John Tremayne are appointed as executors, who are to judge whether Bill makes the grade. These two characters, delightfully portrayed by Brenda Cox and Robert Machray, are pleasant protagonists, not only to each other, but to the loving couple.
The cast is superb, with Larry Wolpe as the family solicitor, who each time he is asked for advice, launches into song and dance to a tune aptly titled, "The Family Solicitor."
This is in the best English tradition of contrasting the normal stodgy lawyer using light-hearted musical folly.
The performance, which causes the audience to laugh out-loud from simple slapstick, is further enhanced by both dance and song from a multifaceted cast in excess of 40 performers.
Costuming and set design were outstanding and handled in as a professional manner as any main stage in Southern California.
This production is under the direction of brothers Ryan Castellano (Director/Choreographer) and Dennis Castellano (Musical Director) with Executive Producer Paul Garman.
On a personal note, our own Shari Nemirrow, CPA here in Los Alamitos, was present with her husband Larry "The Solicitor." It turns out that Shari is president of the Musical Theatre West's Footlighters, a support group to help present quality entertainment to the community and to students in Long Beach.
This production is well worth your efforts to attend and to treat "your girl or guy" to a great evening out.
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