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Regional Reviews: San Francisco Curtains Also see Jeanie's review of Clybourne Park and Richard's review of Tree
The show is an homage to the world of musical theatre and the people devoted to it, but adds a twist with a backstage murder mystery. It's opening night in Boston for Robbin' Hood, a wild west musical version of Robin Hood, and leading lady Jessica Cranshaw (Kayvon Kordestani) can't get her lines right and can't sing—and then she drops dead during the curtain call. As the cast tries to cover their dislike of their now-dead star with an amusing eulogy ("The Woman's Dead"), in comes Lieutenant Frank Cioffi (Michael Rhone) to find the killer and save the struggling show from losing its chance on Broadway. Cioffi quarantines the entire cast and crew, including producers Carmen Bernstein (Ruth E. Stein) and her philandering husband Sidney (Shawn Bender), and the Robbin' Hood creators, the married team of Georgia Hendricks (Mary Melnick) on lyrics and Aaron Fox (Dave Leon) on music. The show's pompous director Christopher Belling (David Mister) and financial backer Oscar Shapiro (Bob Visini) are also trapped, as is stage manager Johnny (Tom Shamrell) and, amusingly, the whole orchestra. As Cioffi unravels the mystery, he also suggests new stagings and music for the lackluster Robbin' Hood, as he happens to be (of course) a musical theatre fan and wannabe. A romance blossoms between Cioffi and one of the show's leads, Niki Harris (Jessica Ellithorpe)—her talent is terrific, but her innocence is decidedly questionable. Meanwhile, Georgia is enlisted to take Jessica's role, seemingly furthering her love affair with the show's star, Bobby (Braden Taylor), much to her husband Aaron's dismay. Theater critic Daryl Grady (Chuck Manthe) shows up, determined to turn disaster into a scoop. Everyone is suspect, no one is blameless, we continue to romp through Robbin' Hood with somewhat bridled glee, and the bodies continue to pile up. No more can be said without spoilers, but hey it's a musical comedy, people, so you can guess how it turns out—although the murderer's reveal is enough of a surprise to make it a good mystery. The songs aren't particularly memorable and the action feels disjointed at times, but the combination of musicals, murder, and mayhem add up to an enjoyable and satisfying bit of fun. Rhone as Cioffi croons his way through the show, his warm honeyed baritone a great fit for "Coffee Shop Nights" and "A Tough Act to Follow." Rhone and Ellithorpe blend vocals beautifully and also share nice chemistry as the main "show-mance." Melnick shines as Georgia, with a lovely voice and true sparkle. Leon has some difficulty with vocal demands out of his range, but does a fine duet with Melnick in "Thinking of Him." Mister prances and preens as Chris, landing snappy one-liners like a pro. Stein almost steals the show as Carmen, delivering great solos on "What Kind of Man," "Show People," "The Man is Dead," and "It's a Business." She knows how to ham it up and play to the house, endearing her nasty self to the audience so that, in the end, she wins our hearts, too. The entire ensemble deserves credit for their high energy and excellent acting as well as vocals. They're fun to watch in big numbers like "Show People," "Kansasland," "Wide Open Spaces," and the reborn "In the Same Boat." The extensive scenery includes several different sets for Robbin' Hood as well as backstage locales, and designer Stephen C. Wathen has managed it all attractively with effective set pieces and backdrops and even a glitter curtain. Vocal director Diane Milo and music director Brian Haslanger get a full, enthusiastic sound from both ensemble and orchestra, and director Doug Brook's staging never drags. Clever lighting by Michael Glenn Munoz nicely enhances numbers like "He Did It," and "A Tough Act to Follow." Choreography by Esther Selk is up to the many demands of all the Robbin' Hood and backstage numbers with variety and interest, although occasionally it seems to overreach the abilities of the performers. Costume designer Mae Heagerty-Matos has met the challenge of numerous costumes for each character with appealing results. For some pleasing fun and a lively backstage whodunit, grab a seat and know you'll enjoy Curtains. Curtains, music by John Kander, lyrics by Fred Ebb, book by Peter Stone and Rupert Holmes; presented by South Bay Musical Theatre, Saratoga Civic Theater, 13777 Fruitvale Avenue, Saratoga, through February 14, 2015. Tickets $20-$35; available at 408-266-4734 or www.southbaymt.com
- Jeanie K. Smith |
