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| Jocelyn Pickett is Olive and Andrew Ross is Warner. |
Gangsters, molls, egotistical actors, an aging diva
and an aspiring playwright all add up to fun in “Bullets Over Broadway, the
Musical,” presented by Foothill Music Theatre.
Woody Allen’s musical version of his and Douglas
McGrath’s screenplay is well directed and aptly cast by Milissa Carey.
Set in New York City in 1929, it’s the story of
playwright David Shayne (Adam Cotugno), who has yet to see one of his plays
produced.
His luck changes, or so he thinks, when nightclub
owner and mob boss Nick (Steve Repetti) offers to back it. There’s one caveat,
though. His dumb blonde girlfriend, Olive Neal (Jocelyn Pickett), must be in it.
For his part, David says there must be no changes in
the script and Helen Sinclair (Carla Befera) must play the lead. She hasn’t any
juicy roles lately, so she joins in.
Because Nick doesn’t trust Olive, he assigns a henchman,
Cheech (Nick Mandracchia), to make sure she doesn’t go astray.
As rehearsals begin, it’s clear that Olive can’t
act, can hardly read and has a limited vocabulary.
Not only that, but the actors keep asking for
changes, but David refuses. However, Cheech quietly gives him some new dialog
that sounds more genuine and meets the actors’ approval.
In the meantime, David thinks he has fallen in love
with Helen even though he has a longtime girlfriend, Ellen (Allie Townsend).
Moreover, Olive begins sneaking off with an actor, Warner Purcell (Andrew
Ross), who has an affinity for food.
Before it’s all over, several people wind up dead,
and others learn a hard lesson.
Each of the principal characters seems perfect for
his or her role. All are good actors and competent singers. All have good comic
timing.
The music comprises familiar tunes from uncredited
sources, such as “Tiger Rag,” “Up a Lazy River,” “I’m Sitting on Top of the World”
and others. They’re accompanied by a six-person orchestra, including music
director Louis Lagalante on keyboard.
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| From left: Tim Lynch, Ron Munekawa, David Randolph Evans and John Duarte are The Four Franks. |
Choreography by Claire Alexander is another high
point, especially as danced by The Atta-Girls and the gangsters. The latter get
lots of laughs as The Four Franks in the suggestive “I Want a Hot Dog for My
Roll,” sung by Olive.
Yet another highlight is Sharon Peng’s costumes,
especially for the women.
The minimal yet workable set is by Andrew
Breithaupt, who makes good use of a turntable. Lighting is by Lily McLeod,
sound by Andrew Heller.
Running about two and a half hours with one
intermission, “Bullets Over Broadway” will continue through March 17 in the
Lohman Theatre, Foothill College, 12345 El Monte Road, Los Altos Hills.
Because
of some of the language and adult situations, parental discretion is advised.
For tickets and information, call (650) 949-7360 or
visit www.foothill.edu/theatre.
Photos by David Allen
