[NEohioPAL]BY JEEVES/BECK

[Roy Berko]

	‘BY JEEVES’ FUN, FUN, FUN AT BECK

	Roy Berko

	(Member, American Theatre Critics Association)

	--THE TIMES NEWSPAPERS--

	Lorain County Times--Westlaker Times--Lakewood News
Times--Olmsted-Fairview Times	


	  Sometimes it’s good to go to the theatre and just
smile, laugh, even howl.  If that’s what you are in
the mood for, rush right over to Beck Center to see
their creatively staged and well-performed ‘BY
JEEVES.’  
	  The musical ‘BY JEEVES’ has had a checkered past. 
Alan Ayckbourn and Lloyd Webber of “Phantom of the
Opera” fame, first wrote the musical in 1975.  It
became  the only flop on either's record at that time.
 They served up a fully revised version in London 20
years later, after both had reached theatrical
stardom. In 1996 it arrived  on Broadway after some
out of town tryouts, but fell flat.  
	  In reality, it’s not surprising that the show
doesn’t work well in a traditional professional
setting.  The script calls for a small, intimate
space.  Broadway and London theatres tend to be large.
 But the Beck Center is a cozy British musical hall
size setting that is absolutely perfect for the work. 

	  Another requirement for the script is an
understanding of farce.  Americans, in general, don’t
do farce well.   But, again, Beck has a plus going for
it.  Director Michael Rogaliner has a feel for the
pacing of farce which he has conveyed to the cast.  
   Based on characters created by P. G. Wodehouse, the
plot is a convoluted musical within a musical. 
Basically, the story centers on Bertie being invited
to play his banjo at a church fund-raiser.  Just
before the concert is to begin, it's discovered the
instrument has been stolen. To stall for time until a
new one can be obtained, the audience has to be
pacified.  Out of his desperation -- and Jeeves'
inspiration --a tale of mistaken identity, thwarted
romance and the triumph of true love is portrayed.  It
all builds up to a finale with the entire cast dressed
as characters from "The Wizard of Oz."    Yes, 
Dorothy, the yellow brick wall, the scare crow. 
Honest.  Would I make this up?
	  The show depends on the audience not only believing
what is going on, but being swept up in the
ridiculousness.  Feigning doesn’t work well with
farce, reality does.   Again, Beck wins here.  Dana
Hart makes for a fine Jeeves.  He plays the master
manipulator with proper aloofness.  He also sings
well.  
	  Larry Nehring plays the role of Bertie with a Danny
Kaye flair.  He not only looks and sounds like Kaye,
but uses his face in very Kaye-like ways. 
	  The rest of the cast is equal to the challenge. 
The production skips right along, carrying a giggling
audience right with them.  	
	  Lloyd Webber's music is well played by a small
orchestra led by musical director Larry Goodpaster.  
Those used to Webber’s plush musical sounds might be
surprised by the fun, cute, clever, hokey music in
this show.  How can a musical with songs entitled,
“It’s a Pig,” “The Hallo Song” and “Travel Hopefully”
not be a delight? 
	  Don McBride’s scenic design doesn’t add much to the
proceedings but Jeffrey Smart’s costumes are fine.
	  CAPSULE JUDGEMENT:   How can a show that is based
on the broadest of British farce, formulated by a
director who has a total understanding the format, and
has a talented cast that has perfect timing, not be
fun?   ‘BY JEEVES’  is a go see  by jove!
	  ‘BY JEEVES’ runs through October 10 at The Beck
Center for the Arts in Lakewood.  For ticket
information call 216-521-2540.


=====
Roy Berko's web page can be found at royberko.info and many of his theatre and dance reviews appear on artscleveland.net.


		
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