Theatre

The Medicine of Music and Laughter

 MUSICAL SUNSHINE at CAPE PLAYHOUSE

A Cocktail of satire, vaudeville, and downright slapstick

Pictured L to R, Joanne Bogart, Matt Castle, Kristen Maloney, Brent Schindele. Photo by Kathy Fahle.

By Libby Hughes, reviewer for Cape Cod Today

Kick away the rainy gloom of June by spending just under two hours at the Cape Playhouse in Dennis. It's pure musical sunshine. The Musical of Musicals...The Musical! is the cure for raindrops and gray days. As the opener of the 83^rd season, the show promises to entertain residents and visitors who want to forget the economy, wars, and violence. On opening night, the audience went wild at the end, shouting, whistling, and giving the ensemble of four a standing ovation. The lady two seats down from this reviewer announced to her neighbors and herself-"Fabulous!" And so it was for this New England premiere.

A five part satiric musical

Artistic Director, Evans Haile--a beloved figure on the Cape Cod Center for the Arts campus--gives a meaningful introduction to orient the audience in what they are going to see and hear. The Musical of Musicals is divided into five satiric parts. Each one is an imitation of a famous team of one or two composers and lyricists: Rodgers and Hammerstein; Stephen Sondheim; Jerry Herman; Andrew Lloyd Webber; and John Kander and Fred Ebb. Over the loud system, two familiar songs from each of the five composers are played. The theme throughout the segments deals with a girl who can't pay her rent, but in the style of the composer. When the curtain opens, the audience is prepared.

Praise for the creators

The creators of The Musical are Joanne Bogart (lyricist and book) and Eric Rockwell (composer and book). They landed off Broadway with their show in 2005 to smashing reviews and had a three year run. Bogart and Rockwell starred in their own musical for a time. Here in the Cape Cod production, Joanne Bogart resumes playing her middle-aged character of Abby. She denies writing a part for herself, but...

The five segments

The first is called CORN (remember Oklahoma?), reminiscent of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein. If you listen closely, you might detect similarities from The King and I, The Sound of Music, Carousel, Oklahoma, and South Pacific.

A take off on Stephen Sondheim is the second segment, called A LITTLE COMPLEX. There are songs in the style of his musicals: Into the Woods, Company, Sweeney Todd, and Sunday in the Park with George.

The third is a spoof on sunny Jerry Herman, titled DEAR ABBY, which incorporates Hello Dolly and Mame, where the socialite solves the rent problems.

The two final segments are in the second act. The fourth is called ASPECTS OF JUNITA from Andrew Lloyd Webber's Evita, Jesus Christ Superstar,  and Phantom of the Opera.

The fifth and final one is SPEAKEASY, a stylization from Kander and Ebb's Chicago and Cabaret.

Quartet of actors

Each actor assumes between 8 and 15 roles and this includes the musical director/pianist, Matt Castle, a familiar figure on the Cape stage. His musical and facial witticisms are understated, but make a powerful impact. Brent Schindele can switch from a macho cowboy to a campy doll in a split second. He can leap around the stage like Mikhail Baryshnikov or Hugh Jackman. And he has a voice that reaches the back row and roof of the Playhouse. An equally powerful voice belongs to the ingénue, Kristin Maloney, who is vulnerable one moment and a martinet the next. Joanne Bogart is ever comfortable in her own words and broad humor from confidante to diva. She obviously relishes performing. The fifth lone, but silent, figure on stage is Will Slater on bass and guitar.

Director and staff

Director Pamela Hunt has crafted direction and choreography for 20 shows at the Playhouse. Most of them are memorable. Who can ever forget Sylvia, the dog? Incredible. The Musical goes from subtle to satiric to slapstick with such ease. She is masterful. Scenic designer James Morgan keeps the set sparse and simple with a piano, three chairs, and a blue screen at the back to announce each composer/lyricist. John Carver Sullivan, costume designer, keeps the costumes in Travel Smith simplicity, using basic black with added sparkles to the costumes in the second act. Lighting designer, Christopher S. Chambers, has everything under control, except a couple of slow spotlights during opening night--easily fixable.

Decline of summer theatres

The North Shore Music Theatre in Beverly has recently closed. Perhaps only three theatres are left from the once famous "Straw Hat Circuit:" The Ogunquit Playhouse in Maine, the Westport Playhouse in Connecticut, and the Cape Playhouse. We should cherish this wonderful Playhouse and the professional shows it brings for our enjoyment. Let's keep it alive and running--even in difficult times.

Don't miss this fabulous winner, The Musical of Musicals...The Musical! June 22 through July 4, Monday through Saturday at 8:00 pm. Matinees are Wed at 2:00 pm, Sat. 6/27 at 4:00 pm, and Thurs. 7/2 at 2:00 pm. Cape Playhouse is on Route 6A in Dennis Village. For reservations, call 508-385-3911.