There's lots of music, panache and bigger than life characters that keep audiences Bemused as Theatre North West brings its season to a close with the world premiere of a farcical, slapstick comedy.
The show, which runs until May 14, is set in the 1940s where two washed-up, pickled Broadway producers, a high-strung husband and wife songwriting duo, a singing chamber maid, the world's oldest tap-dancing bellhop and a frighteningly clever skunk, are all crammed into American composer Cole Porter's apartment.
The two playwrights, Peter Fenton and Scott White, who are big Turner Classic Movie fans, were able to visit the set early in the rehearsals to offer guidance and smooth any bumps in the script. They were able to return to Prince George in time to watch the play four times, including opening night, offering them insight into audience reaction to their play.
The show tells a great story where people drink to excess, but never get drunk, where a stuffed animal takes on a life of its own, and brainstorming song ideas is as easy as do-re-mi.
But that's what happened in stories told in the 40s. People overcame incredible obstacles, and audiences, in the time of wartime hardships and surviving the depression-era lifestyle, wanted to see that happy ending. And White and Fenton deliver in this light-hearted look into the theatre world where the star of the show is suddenly unavailable, where money troubles are overcome with an interesting discovery and a little girl causes more of a stir than the big girls ever could.
Tim Koetting, who plays Arthur Green and Deborah Williams who plays Iris Langdon are the producers who hire the songwriting husband and wife team of George and Carol Walcott, who are played by Steven Greenfield and Ksenia Thurgood.
Koetting plays an eccentric character with some odd phobias. His timing and big dramatic gestures makes the role come to life under his expertise. Williams is bigger than life and wears her role of the theatre-loving producer having second thoughts as well as those 40s dresses she dons through the play.
Greenfield is over-the-top in his character flaws that lend a comedic edge to every appearance he makes.
Thurgood makes it look easy to be the voice of reason in the topsy turvy world she's stepped into but also has a sensitive side shown in a very lovely way in highlighted spots throughout the play.
Erica Clow plays Mary Walcott and if the audience didn't know better, they would believe she's about 12 years old, instead of a first year university student studying theatre. She plays a key role in the show with great conviction.
Jenni Burke offers up a smart-mouth wise-cracking Beatrice Odette, the chamber maid who knows all the secrets kept in the play and knows how to work it. Burke is a crowd favourite, offering a relatable, down to earth character whom the audience loved to watch on stage.
Last but not least, Barrie Wood plays Marcel Fitzsimmons, the tap dancing bellhop, 72 years young. Wood dances into audience members' hearts with a smile and a sashay that makes all the girls envious.
As always the set is incredible with a few surprises and innovations built in to keep the audience watching and waiting for more. The lighting and sound were perfectly on cue. The entire play is one big delight, with love and laughter, mischief and musings throughout.
Tickets are on sale at Books & Co., 1685 Third Ave.
