In a wonderful production only director Wayman Price could pull off, Cole Porter’s “High Society,” playing at Murfreesboro Little Theatre, is a must see.
I was impressed with the show and everything about it, beautiful live music with the artistic talents of Charlie Parker, just enough comedy to keep you wanting more, just enough drama to keep you intrigued, and just enough fun to make you want to see it again. Lots of familiar faces from the Murfreesboro stage were in this musical, and to see them all blending so well helped make this work for the audience. The choreography, lighting and blocking were all very well done.
Miriam Truax as Tracy Lord and Bill Velez as Dexter Haven did a wonderful job in making you believe their former marriage should have never been in the first place. I was happy to see Cathy Spencer, as Liz Imbrie, on stage, I had not seen her since “Smoke on the Mountain” last summer, and Tim Smith, as Mike Connor, showed a beautiful singing voice. Jeff Stateler was a perfect fit as George Kittredge. It is also a plus in any show to have a Quarto family member, and this had two: Michelle did an outstanding job as Dinah Lord, and her mother, Kathy Quarto, was great in the servant ensemble. Suzanne Tenpenny, as Mother Lord, and Steven Luster as Seth Lord, rounded out the wonderful cast of a family in high society.
A special mention, however, is made to Jerry Bailey, who portrayed Uncle Willie. His comedic timing, dance moves and love for the back end of the female anatomy was perfect, and his “I’m Falling for You” in the second act almost stole the show.
My love for this production was not with the Lord Family, but their servants. With previous mention to Ms. Quarto, there was also Lisa Davis and Emily Lowery, with great gyration to their credit, and Gary Davis, Gary Parker and Shane Lowery. Davis, Parker and Lowery were probably held back somewhat by Director Price, as they could have easily gone into their own vaudeville act at any moment. They were that good and that funny.
Special mention is made as well to Jamie Storvik and Ann Minzey: the costume design was impeccable. What a show?the musical of the season.
“High Society” continues April 4-5 at 7 p.m. and April 6 at 2 p.m.
Rhythms Replace Dialog
Tucker Theatre at MTSU is winding down its season, they’ve had a wonderful set of plays and productions this school year, and Director of Theatre and Dance Jeff Gibson says next fall will bring more great shows and talent on the university stage.
Saturday, April 29, I saw a unique and very well written original production in “Rhythm in You,” by MTSU theatrical student Ian Hunt. Hunt plays the lead role as Boss Man Chops, as well as co-directing with his mother and theatre/dance faculty member Deborah Anderson. Together, they put on a show with NO dialog, lots of music but NO melody, but with communication in “stomp,” a form of interaction which does not take long for everyone in the audience to understand and cheer about.
The cast of 13 and the stage all looked like a post-nuclear underground community of teenagers that have formed their own society and set of rules and communication. The show was interesting, different, and worth seeing. “Rhythm in You” continues April 3-5 at 7:30 pm.
Dinner With “The Odd Couple”
A number of Murfreesboro actors and thespians and I went to Bear Hollow Dinner Theatre in Monteagle on Saturday, March 22, and after a fine dinner of steak and potatoes, saw our own E. Roy Lee, along with Ben Dawson and Jennifer White, in an exceptional production of “The Odd Couple.” The show was quite good, and I commend Lee and MTSU’s Dawson and White for their work on that stage.
Murder Mystery at Lamplighter’s
Lamplighter’s Theatre in Smyrna begins Agatha Christie’s “Mousetrap” on Friday, April 4, for a two weekend run, the original show started in New York in 1952 and is still running after 55 years and over 22,000 performances. It starts at 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, 4 p.m. on Sunday.
Gwinn NYC Bound
One final note: MTSU theatrical student Brandon Gwinn has been accepted into New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts to study theatrical arts and drama. This is a very prestigious honor as only 10 or 15 students from throughout the United States are accepted each year. Gwinn, who’s stageplay “Underwear: The Musical” just finished to six sold-out performances at MTSU, and his short play “Fathers,” which will be playing at the Tucker Theatre in January 2009, is to be congratulated for this distinction.
