Center for the Arts presented “Grease!” May 1-11 and unfortunately it slipped and slid for two hours on the Center stage.

I was begged not to go opening night, which of course provided the fuel for me to take my usual?second row, right-side seat. There were miscues peppered throughout the musical, the curtains were closed too frequently and for too long (for what reasons?), and it was apparent that the cast was trying way too hard. You could feel the tension on stage, the frustration, and the aggravation, and no, this was not the “opening night jitters.” They simply needed to relax and have fun.

However, I must, at the same time, give credit where credit is due.

Kayte Brock, who was incredible and beautiful as Sandy, did a wonderful job, and her voice probably singlehandedly saved the show. “Hopelessly Devoted to You” was her moment in the lights, and it was hard to believe this young lady is only 15. Carter Troutt did a terrific job as Danny. However, I thought the chemistry between him and Kayte was wrong, and he should have played Kenickie. The always great Spencer Ford, who was Kenickie, should have been playing Danny. Benjamin George, who played Doody, never lets me down in a production. This up-and-coming actor continues to grace the stage with his wit, talent and voice. A great “Those Magic Changes” is to his credit. Kaylie Hackett and Jessica Theiss, who played Frenchy and Marty, are always fun to watch on stage as well. Special kudos to Garrett Troutt, Carter’s 15-year-old brother, who stepped in just four days before production, to play the part of Sonny. He did a great job, and I hope to see more of him on stage.

Candilyn Ford did a superb job with the choreography, considering her partner, Brandon Coomer, quit and left her with a handful. Lizzy Sunday as stage manager did an unbearably great job considering there was a lot of backstage bickering and lack of communication. The exiting of the Dillinger brothers, Trevor and Ryan, and the live music orchestration becoming CDs at the last moment, perhaps led to the anxiety onstage.?

I was not that impressed with the set. It was functional. The lighting was OK,?but it seemed at times that there was just not enough of it. This was Christina Dallas Jones’ debut as director on the Center stage, I wish her more luck in future directions.?

Siegel High students find “Fame”

I left the ’50s on Thursday night and walked straight into the ’70s on Friday, with “Fame!” at Siegel High School. This was my first high school production review, and on the second night of five shows, the 700-seat theater was filled to capacity. What I saw took my breath. I have to admit, it was a spiritual experience. The lighting, sound and stage set were impeccable. The 61 teenagers gracing this stage apparently had worked a long time to pull off such a good show. Chip Steen as Nick Piazza has a beautiful voice?as does Mary Lauren Mansfield who played Serena Katz. The chemistry was fun and blended perfectly. I also enjoyed Jason Witt as Joe Vegas, Shaun McClardy as Tyrone Jackson, and David Corlew as Schlomo Metzenbaum. Corlew also did a number on the violin and made it cry like a true master.

Also intertwined in the fun was watching the old conservative papas and grand-papas in the audience squirm in their seats and grimace watching?an interracial kiss (and a long one at that) between McClardy and Lindsey Mapes, who was magnificent as Iris Kelly. Miss Holly Cormier, as Carmen Diaz, was fantastic, and has a wonderful voice as well.

I am having to review this show different from our local community theaters however, as the budget for this production was enormous. The actors allegedly had to find sponsors to finance the show (61 actors!), plus they had to pay for their own costumes, the live orchestra was not cheap, and if all five nights played to capacity crowds (3,500 people) at $5 and $10 apiece, this production could have played at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center’s Jackson Hall and made money. I guess you have to have?bucks to have “Fame!”

I have to remember too, the actors on this stage were doing this for a grade, not trying to make the grade, like community theater actors. Community theater uses a shoestring budget on every production, and where the teens on the Siegel stage had months to prepare for this fine show, community players sometimes have less than four weeks to rehearse.

?I am hoping, reading the bios of all of the actors and singers of “Fame!” that some will continue their excellent talents at MTSU and grace the community stage in our area. Kudos to everyone involved with this production, and to Ms. Brenda Gregory, the director. I may not “live forever,” but I have now lived long enough to look back on some fine memories of my late teen years in the early ’70s.

Extraordinary Production

I can remember watching Mary Tyler Moore, Donald Sutherland and Timothy Hutton in “Ordinary People” on the big screen years ago. The emotional roller-coaster film was enough to make me nauseous and make my blood pressure rise to new heights.

This memory was also brought back to life at Murfreesboro Little Theatre’s rendition, now on stage. I always expect the best from director Bob Roberts, and I was not let down this time either.

When I get emotionally involved in a play, I have a difficult time reviewing it. I want to thank Roberts, Jeff Harr, Julianna Smith and young Matthew Payne for giving me an emotional review to write.

Their?talents and believability on the MLT stage were exceptional.?Calvin is a man who seems never to give up?in the face of tragedy and adversity, and Harr was made for this part. Smith’s acting ability as Beth was good enough that one wanted to go up and knock the crap out of her character for being an ass throughout the entire production?her arrogance and denial were set in stone. Mr. Payne, at 14 playing an 18-year-old Calvin: 1. knows how to kiss the starlet; 2. mumbles at times like a true teenager; and 3. shows enough maturity to make you think he is the sane one of the bunch, although he is the one in the psychiatrist’s office.

Mike McRee played the psychiatrist so well I went up after the show and started telling him my problems.

The humor of the show, if any could be found, has to be costuming of J. Adrian Marshall, as Conrad’s swimming coach. A true actor will appear on stage in anything, and costume designer Dee Haddock must have had a set plan when Marshall appeared in front of the audience. With a supporting cast of Amber Boyer, William Franklin and Erin Greene, this show?is another of those MLT heart-wrenching productions in which you leave the theater continuing to think about what just happened. My hat’s off to Alan Smith as Stillman, who stepped in at the last moment and did a great job. He was a favorite of mine at MTSU’s Tucker Theatre this season, in “Romeo and Juliet,” and “Baby: the Musical.” It was good to see him, finally, on the community theater stage.?

The lighting was great, the set had good blending with the school locker room, the doctor’s office and the family living room all on the MLT stage, and the tech crew is to be commended for a terrific opening night.

Upcoming Performances

“You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown” opens Friday, May 30, at the Lamplighter’s Theatre in Smyrna, at 7 p.m.