Past Reviews

Regional Reviews: Florida - West Coast

Inspired Lunacy
Florida Studio Theater


Gil Brady, Dane Becker, Kathy Halenda, Don Farrell, and Dennis Kenney
Opening the summer Mainstage Series at Florida Studio Theatre is Inspired Lunacy, which began as a cabaret show way back in 1997. The show was developed by FST Artistic Director Richard Hopkins, Managing Director Rebecca Hopkins, and Jim Prosser, music director for many projects.

The material is very much a mixed bag. "Super streptococcus Necrotizing Fasciitis" by Stephan DeGhelder and to the tune of "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious," staged with great dance moves, is one of the highlights of act one, and classic silly songs from the 1950s and '60s such as "Beep, Beep," "Who Put the Bop," "Purple People Eater," and "Splish Splash" also register strongly with the audience. More highlights are "Magic Kingdom in the Sky," "Another Irish Drinking Song," and "Vatican Rag." There are two numbers that do not go over as well; during a sketch about two older couples at the movies one of the men takes offense at a younger man on his cell phone and walks over and shoots him. With a current trial in Colorado and a similar incident closer to home in Tampa, this seems tasteless. Tom Leher's "Poisoning Pigeons in the Park" also does not seem to go over well in an era where we are taking animal cruelty more seriously.

The strength of the evening lies with the lively cast. Gil Brady, Dane Becker, and Kathy Halenda all have histories with Florida Studio Theatre, while Don Farrell was in the earlier version of this show and had other credits at the theater around that time. Dennis Kenney is new to the company. Ms. Halenda as the only female is the star of the evening. All are ingratiating performers and the dancing, choreographed by Christine O'Grady, is excellent and crisp.

Vivid colored suits by Gregory A. Poplyk serve well for this salute to zaniness. Mr. Becker is in sort of lime green, and it's deep purple for Mr. Brady, royal blue suits for Don Farrell, and Mr. Kenney sports orange. Ms. Halenda is in scarlet red. The scenic design is by Isabel and Moriah Curley-Clay, with lighting by Rob Perry. Richard Hopkins directs for rapid pacing. Ben Krauss was conductor and on piano for the performance I attended, and he did a fine job leading the four-piece band. Tom Ellison is versatile on reeds/saxophone; during the short overture he plays sax, clarinet, and flute in quick succession.

Next up for FST's summer series is Baskerville, a comic version of the Hound of same.

Florida Studio Theatre presents Inspired Lunacy through June 28 , 2015, at the Gompertz Theater 1241 N. Palm Avenue, Sarasota. For tickets and performance information, please call the box office at (941) 366-9000 or visit www.floridastudiotheatre.org.

Cast:
Man 1: Dane Becker*
Man 2: Gil Brady*
Man 3: Don Farrell*
Woman 1: Kathy Halenda*
Man 4: Dennis Kenney*
*=Member of Actor's Equity Association

Band:
Piano/Conductor: Ben Krauss/Jim Prosser
Second Keyboard: Shawn Marren
Drums: Tony Bruno
Reeds/Saxophone: Tom Ellison

Music Director/Orchestrator: Ben Krauss
Scenic Designers: Isabel & Moriah Curley-Clay
Sound Designer: Tony Angelini
Lighting Designer: Rob Perry
Costume Designer: Gregory A. Poplyk
Directed by Richard Hopkins
Choreographed by Christine O'Grady
Production Stage Manager: Kelli Karen*


Photo: Matthew Holler

--William S. Oser