26
Jan

Tootsie

Tootsie
Fox Theatre
through January 30, 2022

Tootsie is based on an old story that became a hot movie and transferred to the stage. It’s one of those stories which might have been influenced by Becoming Ernest; but in this case Dorothy.

The show is set in NYC and you meet Michael Dorsey (Drew Becker) who is having a tough time landing a role in anything. He does try to grab attention in drag as Dorothy Michaels and is on his way to hitting the big time. The story gets strange in many ways, mostly when a guy has eyes for Dorothy, and all the sort of craziness that might ensue. Of course there are plenty of expletives and single entendres in the show and it is a cute bit of eye candy for the audience.

Directed by Dave Solomon, the show also features Ashley Alexandra as Julie, Payton Reilly as Sandy, and Luka James Miller as Max van Horn. With a full live orchestra in the pit under the baton of Andrew Sotomayor, they move effortlessly through 22 numbers that you probably won’t be humming as you leave. The bottom line is that it is a good production with a fine cast, good choreography and score and enough laughs to make you feel the parking fees were worth it.

This is a touring company so will be hitting the road for Des Moines and then down to Memphis. Like they saw, show business ain’t always easy. But, more info and tickets at FoxTheatre,org Enjoy!

23
Jan

The Pirates of Penzance

The Pirates of Penzance
Atlanta Opera
through January 30, 2022

This classic is a typically nutty rhyming opus by Gilbert & Sullivan. Seems that young Frederic (Santiago Ballerini) was to be trained to be a ship’s pilot. But, an error was made and his nursemaid, Ruth (Katherine Goeldner), who had apprenticed him to a pirate. That would be bad enough, except that Frederic was born on February 29th and when he seeks to depart from his piratical cohorts and take up a life of ethical behavior, they figure out that he is not really 21, but only 5 years of age. So, what’s a fellow to do? You have to do your duty, and Frederic is nothing if not a slave to duty.

He’s not had much exposure to, or of, women. But, he does run into a band of winsome lasses on the beach and falls in love with Mabel (Susanne Burgess) who happens to be the daughter of an off-the-wall Major General (Curt Olds). Don’t worry. You can easily get lost in the plot and the lyrics, but all shall be well in the end.

The cast is superb. Susanne Burgess is incredibly good and exciting. Her solfege skills are exemplary. And Curt Olds brings down the house with laughter as the very model of a modern Major General. He can also recite more words faster than most of us can listen. Daniel Sumegi plays the Sgt. Bobby who laments that a policeman’s lot is not a happy one. And the entire cast of many players is spot-on for this production.

With a full orchestra in the pit under the baton of Francesco Milioto you will be thinking that you wish to sing along or get up and dance. But, just chill out and enjoy the 2 hour 45 minute performance. We stand and salute Sean Curran who choreographed the opus and also is the director. Yes, it is a goofy story; but that’s deliberate. If William Gilbert were still around he’d undoubtedly be pleased that the Atlanta Opera’s version is tweaked a bit to update a few lines. But, life goes on.

Full rules are in place so bring your CDC card and wear your mask at all times. More info and tickets at AtlantaOpera.org

9
Jan

The Importance of Being Earnest

The Importance of Being Earnest
ARIS Theatre
through January 16, 2022

Oscar Wilde was born in Dublin to a well-off family, and had all the benefits other than peerage. He became a poet and writer, fluent in several languages and got to travel both to the Continent as well as to the US and Canada. In the days when he came out of the closet, that was quite a problem as the laws in England in the 1800’s made any homosexual acts a felony and upon conviction one could be sent down for a sentence at hard labor. Wilde wound up doing 2 years in the slammer. He left the UK and lived in Paris and he passed away at only 46 years of age. One of his most memorable plays is this one.

The play is a romp. The two main male characters are Jack Worthing (Jordan Mitchell) and his friend Algernon Moncreiff (Phil Mann). Jack lives in the home shires and has invented a persona called Earnest which he uses when he scampers up to town to party hearty. Things get a bit dodgy when Jack falls for Algernon’s cousin, Gwendolen (Maggie Beker) a demure and impressionable young lass.

Gwendolen is drawn to Jack not only by his demeanor but she reads a lot into the name Earnest. One who doesn’t get so impressed is Gwendolen’s aunt, the prim Lady Bracknell (John Ammerman), who is stand-offish and somewhat acerbic. In the meantime, the plot starts to get more insane as Algernon decides to go Bunbury-ing down to the country manor posing as Earnest and he falls head over heels for the lovely Cecily (Tamia Fair). Nothing seems to be working out as one fabrication falters after another, and how the plot resolves is the stuff the play is made of. Just pay attention to old Ms. Prism (Jessica Fern Hunt). K. Ken Johnston,and Dan Reichard are in supporting roles, and the camped up Steampunked production is directed by Kathleen McManus, on a Moliere style multi-door set; it’s a fun evening.

The show runs about 90 minutes at the Academy Theatre on North Central Ave in Hapeville. Easy to get to, free parking, plenty of goodies, and good seats. More info at ArisTheatre.org