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Regional Reviews: San Francisco A Jazzy Revival of The Boy Friend
The plot is part frivolities of Gilbert and Sullivan with a bow to Rodgers and Hart's The Girl Friend. Basically, it's about a rich British girl in Madame Dubonnet's south of France finishing school in the 1920s. She falls in love with a British delivery boy. It seems all the girls plus the French maid and even the headmistress have boyfriends. There's not a serious note in this fast-paced musical. The show is an irrepressibly bubbly mix of song and dance that sparkles, thanks to the great direction of Cindy Goldfield, who also did the glistening choreography. Tap, the Charleston, and the highest of high kicks are made to look easy by an adroit and incredible young cast. Jenifer Mitchell is effervescent as Polly Browne. She has a wonderful voice and commanding stillness. Nathaniel Rothrock gives a charming performance as Tony the delivery boy. He has pitch perfect resonance when singing "I Could Be Happy with You" with Jennifer Mitchell. He also has graceful moves when dancing that number. Brandon Dahlquist gives a terrific performance as Bobby Van Husen while Andrea St. Clair, with her ebullient voice, shines as Maisie. They gleam in both dance and voice in "Won't You Charleston with Me?" Mark Farrell as the randy Lord Brockhurst and Khalia Davis as Dulcie do a fine turn in "It's Never Too Late to Fall in Love." The young boys give uniquely fetching performances, especially in the number "Sur la Plage" and "Safety in Numbers." Adam Roy, with his infectious grin, is captivating as Marcel, Michael Doppe gives an impressive performance as Pierre, and Burton Thomas is great as Alphonse. Stephanie Prentice, who took over from Maureen McVerry, is delightful as Madame Dubonnet. She is a vision of French sophistication with a vocal style that reminded me of Edith Piaf. Paul Myrvold gives a first rate performance as the long lost millionaire sweetheart Percival Browne. Katherine Cooper is charming as the school maid Hortense. A hilariously over the top Erin-Kate Whitcomb sweeps across the stage giving a strong performance. Melissa Reinertson and Barbara Pond give fun performances as some of the girls. Yvonne Ortiz has designed fresh spring frocks for her four young ladies. A dashing beach scene features adorable period bathing costumes along with a beautiful gown for fashionable Madame Dubonnet. Hector Zavala has designed a great set that suggests springtime in places and the beach in others. The Boy Friend runs through November 16, 2014, at the Eureka Theatre, 215 Jackson Street, San Francisco For tickets call 415-255-8207 or visit www.42ndStMoon.org. Coming up next is Cole Porter's Something for the Boys opening on November 26 and running through December 14th.
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