“Wizard of Oz” at Theatre by the Sea

By Richard Pacheco

            The well loved classic tale of the Wizard of Oz made so famous in the Judy Garland movie is brought vividly to life on stage at Theater by the Sea with a terrific cast full of zest and enthusiasm and some impressive sets and special effects. Yes, no doubt you have seen the movie dozens of times but this little venture onstage live is clever, fun and imaginative.

            There is flying in the show but not too spectacular, but the portion where Dorothy's house heads skyward behind a scrim is vivid, vital and impressive. The effect is repeated again at the end with facial closeups that are more impressive. The entire world seems to tumble upside down on stage, all done very effectively. The entire production is sheer delight, fun for all ages.

            Devon Parry is Dorothy, who must venture far away from home to learn to fully appropriate it as the source of her heart's desire. She is pert and perky in the role, a delightful transformation of girlish charm with a strong voice. She sings “Over the Rainbow” with skill and emotional nuance. She is excellent in the role.

            Of course there are the usual familiars here, those farm folk who follow Dorothy into the land of Oz The Scarecrow (who is Hunk on the farm) played with flair by Stephen Perotvich. He is a perfect mixture of floppy and dedication as the scarecrow, He is a delight when he sings “If I Only Had a Brain” with style and aplomb.

            Then there is Danny Rothman as the Tinman and on the farm known as Hickory. He too is fun in the role full of energy and sincerity. When he sings “If I Only Had a Heart” with Dorothy she shines with gusto and poise.

            The last of the trio who accompanies Dorothy is the Cowardly Lion( known as Zeke on the farm) played with gusto and energy by Richard E. Waits. His duet with Dorothy, “If I Only Had Nerve” is sheer comic fun, thoroughly enjoyable.

            There are more carryovers from Kansas and Dorothy’s life there. There is the cranky and nasty Elmira Gulch who transforms into the truly despicable and devious Wicked Witch of the West. And Tom Gleadow who is both Professor Marvel and the magnificent, all powerful, Wizard of Oz. Of course there is Uncle Henry who becomes the Winkie General in Oz.

            Billy Sprague Jr. directs with vitality and a sense of sheer fun making it all a delight. The musical direction by Esther Zabinski is right on the mark.

            The sets designed by Kyle Dixon are impressive like the wonderful house Dorothy lives in with her aunt and uncle. The show is well put together and a fun filled evening.

            It is a fun filled romp that will intrigue the entire family.

            “The Wizard of Oz" runs through Aug. 13 at Theatre By The Sea, 364 Cards Pond Rd., Matunuck. Tickets are $47-$67. Call (401) 782-8587, or visit theatrebythesea.com.

“Damn Yankees” at Ocean State Theatre

By Richard Pacheco

            “Damn Yankees” currently at Ocean State Theatre is a vintage musical but in this production it is showing its age. There are some rough edges here not just in the musical itself, signs of strain in the performances. There are some fun moments it\n it but there is too much of feeling of something missing throughout.

            The story is the tale of old Joe Boyd a lifelong Washington Senators fan who is distressed by their constantly losing record. He gets the opportunity from Mr. Applegate to transform not only that record but his secret desire to play baseball into reality. The price for all this, Joe’s soul of course. Yet Joe is reluctant to leave his beloved wife on long standing behind to pursue his dreams. Despite that, he does so anyway.       

  At the park the ballplayers are not what you’d’ expect. Older, and somewhat overweight they do not evoke the image of professional baseball players.

            One of the standouts here thought is the young baseball players, Joe Hardy played by Matt Gibson who is a delight. He is charming with his shy boy attitude and modesty as the terrific ballplayers. He sings with sass and style. He is highly convincing.His tenor voice was elegant and tender.

            His nemesis is Mr. Applegate, the conniving, deceptive devil himself, full of double dealing and dirty tricks. Beau Allen is Mr. Applegate. He attempts a kind of suave elegance and indifferent poise that doesn’t really work. There are times when he seems awkward with his lines, uncertain. His voice isn’t strong either. Maybe I was just spoiled by seeing Jerry Lewis in the role in New York many years ago.

            Sally Ann Swarm is Joe’s Boyd’s wife Meg. Meg is loyal and devoted, a woman who loves her husband deeply despite his addiction to baseball.  She is the epitome of simplicity and dedication. At once unfaltering and yet saddened by her husband’s unexplained absence off on some obscure business trip. The duets she sings with Gibson are sweet and sincere such as “Near to You” and “A Man Doesn’t Know.”

            Then there is Lola, Mr. Applegate’s temptress, played by Lauren Gemilli. Lola is the epitome of sensuality and undaunted sexuality. For someone who is well over 100 years old, she slinks about cavorting with reckless abandon. She doesn’t seem sultry enough in the role. The kind of mind boggling sensuality the role demands seems missing here, stopping short. The proof is in the song, “Whatever Lola Wants” which seems to lack sass and sizzle.

            Director Aimee Turner tries to keep it all on course, but it doesn’t quite make it. It never seems to gel to make it the kind of fun fantasy it should be.

            Musical director Justin P. Cowan doesn’t quite pull off all the musical numbers and songs to best effect.

            The M.K. Lawson choreography however is mostly spirited and energetic. The conducting by Justin P. Cowan is precise and on the mark.

            While this Tony Award winning show has potential it is showing its age quite a bit. The cast doesn’t seem mange to pull it off or somehow enhance it and revivify it.    

            "Damn Yankees" runs through July 24 at Ocean State Theatre, 1245 Jefferson Blvd., Warwick. Tickets are $39-$59. Call (401) 921-6800, or visit oceanstatetheatre.com.

“West Side Story” at Theatre by the Sea

By Richard Pacheco

            “West Side Story” is a beloved Americana musical classic. The current production at Theatre by the Sea is vibrant with some stunning dancing and exceptional singers in the lead of Tony and Maria. It is long though, that first act gets really long, 90 minutes.

            The story is the modernization retelling of Romeo and Juliet set in downtown NYC. It started when choreographer Jerome Robbins approached Arthur Laurents and Leonard Bernstein about the musical idea. Sondheim later came on board with his debut as a lyricist. It was set in the 1950’s and focused on the rivalry of two gangs, and a war in culture clash.

            Bronson Norris Murphy is Tony, who helped found the Jets but ahs somewhat left it behind to work at Doc’s store. He is a young man just going through his life until meeting up with Maria at a dance. Then, his whole life and attitude change. He leaps into this ill considered and doomed affair with all his heart and the consequences are tragic. Murphy is poised and energetic, and his voice is outstanding. He shines in songs like “Maria” or his duet with Maria, “Tonight”

            Maria is played by Evy Ortiz who is perky, energetic and engaging. As the young Puerto Rican woman who is recently arrived in the city from Puerto Rico and is a seamstress and somewhat innocent of the conflicts in the big city. Her voice is superb, full of richness and emotion. She shines in her duet with Tony, “Tonight” or later in “One Hand, One Heart” another duet.

            Tyler John Logan is Riff who co-founded the Jets with Tony. He is cocky and self assured while always trying to be cool. He is outstanding in the “Jets song which opens the musical and in “The Rumble” song under the highway.

            Alexander Gil Cruz is Maria’s brother Bernardo, who is proud of his heritage and totally distrust the Americans. He is energetic and convincing in the role,

            Another fine addition to the cast is Dana Hunter as Anita, Bernardo’s girl. She too has a strong voice and shines in “America” which she sings with the Sharks girls and the wining duet with Maria, “A Boy Like That/I Have A Love.”

            The supporting cast is top notch with some fabulous dancing and robust energy.

Director Bob Richard makes good use of his talented cast. It is unfortunate that the musical runs so long and because of the long dance numbers slows down in the first act. But the dancing is simply remarkable.

Musical Director by Samuel Thorne Baglia and his conducting is on target.

            The dancing dominates this production it is simply dazzling dancing. It is energetic and vibrant full of energy and audacity. The Diane Laurenson choreography is impeccable.

            Kyle Dixon’s scenic design is vivid and impressionistic, very evocative and effective how it hints at an inner city tangle of places from the stoop outside a building to under the highway and more.

            "West Side Story" runs through July 16 at Theatre By The Sea, 364 Cards Pond Rd. in Wakefield. Tickets are $47-$67. Call (401) 782-8587 or visit theatrebythesea.com.