Local performing arts and musical theatre studio Broadway Edge presents Little Women, based on the classic Louisa May Alcott novel. Book by Allan Knee, music by Jason Howland and lyrics by Mindi Dickstein. Directed and choreographed by Diana Kaarina and musical direction by Richard Coombes.
Broadway Edge presents Little Women from September 3 – 5, 2010 at the Revue Stage, Granville Island, Vancouver. Tickets are available online.
Running different productions of the same musical within a relatively short period of time inevitably invites comparisons, for better or for worse. Having seen the TUTS production of Millie half a dozen times this past summer, I’m familiar with both the strengths and the weaknesses of the book and score. I had such high hopes for Gateway Theatre’s production of Thoroughly Modern Millie. On paper it shows so much promise, but ultimately falls short.
The cast of Gateway's Thoroughly Modern Millie.
There is a lot to like about this production. Choreographer Kennith Overbey has charged the dance numbers with an intense energy that truly carries the show. The freneticism of the love-wearied office pool as they tap out their frustrations in “Forget About the Boy,” was almost enough to make me forget some of the other flaws in this show.
Overbey makes excellent use of the incredibly strong male and female choruses. Among the standouts are Georgia Swinton, Damon Jang, Dimitrios Stephanoy, Meagan Ekelund and Doran Satanove. There is more than a hint of sex appeal in the alcohol-infused “The Nutty Cracker Suite,” which in less capable hands could have easily been boring and hackneyed. That same rawness is also welcomely present in the male chorus in “Long as I’m Here with You.”
The ten-piece orchestra is at the top of its game and brings the jazzy score to life, with what seems like minimal effort. Musical theatre companies around town should take note: cutting back on the size of pit orchestras and live accompaniment can exact a heavy toll on your show. That richness of sound can’t be replicated by other means.
Lauren Bowler (The Producers, Arts Club) is a strong actress and singer, but doesn’t come off as terribly likeable in the title role of Millie Dillmount. Her characterisation played like it was from a more serious show, not the one she was in.
Diana Kaarina (Thoroughly Modern Millie, TUTS) was reliably consistent in the role of Miss Dorothy, a role she honed in the US national tour of Thoroughly Modern Millie. I found myself wishing that Kaarina had been cast as Millie here, a role she completely owned at TUTS this summer.
Denis Simpson plays wealthy socialite and songstress Muzzy Van Hossmere in what appears to be incredibly bad whiteface. I was hoping for something special in Simpson’s two musical performances “Only in New York” and “Long as I’m Here with You,” and I was still waiting when the final curtain fell. The fault doesn’t lie with Simpson, but with the uninspired staging consisting of simply facing the audience head-on with limited movement and singing, à la high school.
I’ve seen Simpson dance and sing enough times to know that this wasn’t a case of a director staging around a performer’s weak spots. Whatever the reasoning behind this creative decision, the poor direction in these numbers pulled down the show’s energy.
The same barebones approach to staging also hurt the comedic number “They Don’t Know.” As the villainous Mrs. Meers, Irene Karas’ accent careered perilously close to the edge and her dragon lady was missing some needed bluster.
Mat Baker’s vocals and dancing were well-suited to the role of Jimmy Smith, but was otherwise bland and not particularly charismatic. On the other hand, Gaelan Beatty was perfectly charming as the somewhat pompous Trevor Graydon.
Jen Darbellay’s costumes are colourful and eye-catching, though a bit more variety would have been welcome. The scale of Drew Facey’s set properly conveys the height of the New York cityscape without dwarfing the actors.
All of the technical elements are there, but the show lacks heart. It should be full of humour and fun, but the quick pace of this staging seems to gloss over many of the best lines and scenes. That being said, the energetic choreography, top-notch orchestra, and strong chorus alone make Thoroughly Modern Millie worth the price of admission.
Gateway Theatre presents Thoroughly Modern Millie until January 3, 2010 at the Gateway Theatre, 6500 Gilbert Road, Richmond. Tickets are available online or by phone at 604-270-1812.
Posted in Gateway Theatre, Musical Theatre, Reviews, Richmond, Thoroughly Modern Mille, Vancouver
Tagged Damon Jang, Denis Simpson, Diana Kaarina, Dimitrios Stephanoy, Doran Satanove, Drew Facey, Gaelan Beatty, Gateway Theatre, Georgia Swinton, Irene Karas, Jen Darbellay, Ken Overbey, Lauren Bowler, Mat Baker, Meagan Ekelund, Millie, Thoroughly Modern Millie, TUTS
Thoroughly Modern Millie opens at the Gateway Theatre in Richmond this Friday. Millie was already one of TUTS’ offerings this past summer, so it will be familiar territory for some.
Mat Baker and Lauren Bowler in Gateway Theatre's production of Thoroughly Modern Millie.
Having really enjoyed seeing Millie at the Malkin Bowl, I’m eager to see how this production will compare. Starring Lauren Bowler, Mat Baker (Evil Dead, DSR), Diana Kaarina (Thoroughly Modern Millie, TUTS), Irene Karas, Minh Ly, Raugi Yu, Gaelan Beatty, and Denis Simpson.
Directed by Simon Johnston and assistant director Natasha Nadir, musical direction by Allen Stiles, choreography by Ken Overbey, set design by Drew Facey, costume design by Jen Darbellay, lighting by Ereca Hassell, sound design by Chris Hind, stage managed by Angela Beaulieu and assistant stage manager Jamie Tait.
Gateway Theatre presents Thoroughly Modern Millie from December 10, 2009 – January 3, 2010 at the Gateway Theatre, 6500 Gilbert Road, Richmond. Tickets are available online or by phone at 604-270-1812.
Posted in Gateway Theatre, Musical Theatre, Richmond, Thoroughly Modern Mille, Upcoming Shows, Vancouver
Tagged Allen Stiles, Angela Beaulieu, Chris Hind, Denis Simpson, Diana Kaarina, Drew Facey, Ereca Hassell, Gaelan Beatty, Gateway Theatre, Irene Karas, Jamie Tait, Jen Darbellay, Ken Overbey, Lauren Bowler, Mat Baker, Minh Ly, Natasha Nadir, Raugi Yu, Richmond, Simon Johnston, Thoroughly Modern Millie, TUTS
Thoroughly Modern Millie is Theatre Under the Stars’ second offering this summer, and what a show! Adapted from the 1967 musical film of the same name which starred Julie Andrews, Mary Tyler Moore and Carol Channing, the 2002 stage version won the Tony Award for Best Musical.
The book is by Richard Morris (the original 1967 screenwriter) and Dick Scanlan. The stage musical borrows some of its score from the movie as well as from Tchaikovsky, Al Jolson, Victor Herbert, and Gilbert & Sullivan’s Ruddigore. The new music is by Jeanine Tesori (Caroline, or Change, Shrek the Musical) and new lyrics are by Dick Scanlan.
Set in New York City in 1922, it’s the story of a small-town Kansas girl Millie Dilmount who’s afraid to end up “old and grey at 29.” She comes to the big city to seek her fortune in the modern way; she wants to marry her future boss. Millie is enthusiastically played by local actor Diana Kaarina, who not that long ago returned from Broadway (Rent, Les Misérables) and touring productions in the US (Thoroughly Modern Millie).
Diana Kaarina as Millie in TUTS' production of Thoroughly Modern Millie. Photo by Tim Matheson
Kaarina is definitely a triple threat and she owns the role, singing, tapping, and acting her heart out. The opening number “Not For The Life of Me/Thoroughly Modern Millie” crackles with energy and choreographer Shelley Stewart Hunt’s choreography really spotlights the talented cast.
I’ve been enamoured with Meghan Anderssen since she stole the show last year as Annie Oakley at TUTS. This summer she plays the aspiring actress Miss Dorothy Brown and once again she tries to steal the show at every turn. And if not for the incredibly strong cast of leads, she undoubtedly would have succeeded.
Anderssen’s comic timing is perfection in everything that she does. Her introductory duet with Kaarina, “How the Other Half Lives,” has some great moments between the pair. To her credit, Anderssen has chemistry with all of the actors she is paired with over the evening.
Seth Drabinsky, who wowed local audiences a few years back in Hedwig and the Angry Inch (Pickled Productions), makes his TUTS debut as Millie’s tightly-wound boss Trevor Graydon. Drabinsky displays his operatic training in a masterful quick-tongued homage to the Gilbert & Sullivan patter song with “The Speed Test.” He and Anderssen deftly show off their joint romantic and comedic chops in “Ah Sweet Mystery of Life” and “Falling in Love.”
Composer Tesori’s new score falters a bit with her songs for Millie’s love interest Jimmy Smith. “What Do I Need With Love” and “I Turned The Corner” are largely forgettable as performed by the woefully miscast Danny Balkwill. Balkwill lacks the easy charm and onstage charisma necessary to win over the audience.
Sarah Rodgers returns to the musical stage after a prolonged absence and gleefully relishes in the character part of Mrs. Meers. As the failed-actress turned white-slave trader, she does a bang-up job of self-promoting herself as a star in “They Don’t Know.”
Mrs Meers spends the entire show hiding in yellow-face and sporting an atrociously terrible accent, masquerading as the Chinese matron of the Priscilla Hotel. The original 1967 film cast Asians in the roles of the villainous henchmen in a less-than-subtle display of racist stereotyping. When the musical was adapted for the stage in 2002, the henchmen were changed into Mrs. Meers’ unwilling accomplices.
The characters Ching Ho and Bun Foo, played by Aaron Lau and DaeYoung Danny Kim, are the only ones who have a clue about what’s actually going at the Priscilla Hotel. But they’re unable to warn anyone since they only speak (and sing) in Chinese. Through the clever use of subtitled laundry, the audience is able to understand the dialogue. Lau and Kim do a great version of Jolson’s “Mammy” redone in Chinese as “Muquin.”
Nancy Herb certainly has the right sultry nightclub sound for socialite Muzzy Van Hossmere, and vocally I have no complaints about her. But I wanted so much more from her that just wasn’t anywhere to be found. I’ve always seen Muzzy as sassy, campy and a bit of a diva. The role has previously been played by Carol Channing, Sheryl Lee Ralph and Leslie Uggams, all of whom made the role their own, essentially by playing themselves. Even though she has two starring numbers in the show, “Only in New York” and “Long As I’m Here With You,” Herb faded into the background. I’d love to see her bring some attitude and life into the character.
Chris Sinosich’s costumes are modern and jazzy and I loved her take on Muzzy Van Hossmere’s over-the-top nightclub get-ups.
Kaarina opens the second act strongly with the powerhouse “Forget About The Boy” and the resulting extravaganza of romantically frustrated tap-dancing office workers is pure satisfaction.
Music Director Christopher King’s orchestra is near-perfect and the music is definitely what makes the show shine in the wide open spaces of the Malkin Bowl. The bright resounding tones of the brass especially give the beautiful score its vintage happy-go-lucky feel.
Shel Piercy’s directions are always top-notch and this is no exception. Thoroughly Modern Millie’s cast is thoroughly bursting with talent and it’s a sensational must-see for the summer. I already can’t wait to see it again. Tickets are still available through Tickets Tonight. Thoroughly Modern Millie plays every other night at the Malkin Bowl in Stanley Park at 8 pm until August 22nd.
Posted in Musical Theatre, Reviews, Theatre Under the Stars, Thoroughly Modern Mille, Vancouver
Tagged Aaron Lau, Al Jolson, Carol Channing, Chris Sinosich, Christopher King, DaeYoung Danny Kim, Danny Balkwill, Diana Kaarina, Dick Scanlan, Gilbert & Sullivan, Jeanine Tesori, Julie Andrews, Leslie Uggams, Malkin Bowl, Mary Tyler Moore, Meghan Anderssen, Nancy Herb, Richard Morris, Sarah Rodgers, Seth Drabinsky, Shel Piercy, Shelley Stewart Hunt, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Stanley Park, Tchaikovsky, Theatre Under the Stars, Thoroughly Modern Millie, TUTS, Victor Herbert
July is already upon us, which means that it’s only a little over a week before Theatre Under the Stars begins previews of its 2009 season.
TUTS has made some shrewd choices this year with a duo of family-friendly shows; classic crowd-pleaser Annie and the relatively new but very popular Thoroughly Modern Millie. I’ll be posting further about both shows in the days leading up to the opening nights.
TUTS has been a summer Vancouver tradition at the Malkin Bowl in Stanley Park since the 1940s with only a few interruptions. Most recently TUTS took a hiatus in 2006 after running into financial difficulties. It was widely speculated that the two lesser-known shows staged in 2005, Big: the musical and Can-Can, failed to draw in ticket-buying audiences.
For the last two years, TUTS has safely steered towards popular and time-tested fare; Grease and Oklahoma in 2007, and Jesus Christ Superstar and Annie Get Your Gun in 2008.
Michelle Creber and Max in the TUTS production Annie. Photo by Tim Matheson.
Michelle Creber plays the redheaded optimistic orphan Annie alongside a slew of Vancouver stage veterans. David Adams stars as Oliver Warbucks, Colleen Winton (2008 Ovation award winner for Musical of Musicals the Musical, Fighting Chances), as Miss Hannigan, and Todd Talbot (It’s A Wonderful Life, Arts Club) as Rooster Hannigan. Former Vancouver Playhouse artistic director Glynis Leyshon directs.
Thoroughly Modern Millie stars Broadway actress Diana Kaarina (Rent, Les Misérables) as the titular character who, in the modern tradition, moves to the big city with plans to marry not for love but for money. The role should be somewhat old hat for Kaarina, as she previously played the role in the touring company of Millie. Directed by Shel Piercy, the cast also includes Meghan Anderssen (Annie Get Your Gun, TUTS), Danny Balkwill (We Will Rock You, Mirvish), and Sarah Rodgers.
Previews July 10-13. Shows play alternating nights with Annie opening July 14th through August 21st and Thoroughly Modern Millie opening July 15th through August 22nd. Tickets available online or by calling 604-684-2787.
Posted in Annie, Musical Theatre, Theatre Under the Stars, Thoroughly Modern Mille, Upcoming Shows
Tagged Annie, Colleen Winton, Danny Balkwill, David Adams, Diana Kaarina, Glynis Leyshon, Malkin Bowl, Meghan Anderssen, Michelle Creber, Sarah Rodgers, Shel Piercy, Stanley Park, Theatre Under the Stars, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Todd Talbot, TUTS
Musicals in Vancouver 