[NEohioPAL]Berko review: 110 IN THE SHADE (Kalliope Stage)

[Roy Berko]

Kalliope’s  ‘110 IN THE SHADE’ pleases in spite of
obstacles

Roy Berko

(Member, American Theatre Critics Association)

--THE TIMES NEWSPAPERS--

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


Harvey Schmidt and Tom Jones are masters of writing
the “small” musical.  Best known for ‘THE FANTASTICS,’
the longest running off-Broadway musical, ‘I DO, I DO’
and the seldom done ‘CELEBRATION,’ the duo writes
lovely music with lyrics that help develop the plot. 
Though ‘110 IN THE SHADE,’ which is now being produced
by Kalliope Theatre, is not up to the level of ‘THE
FANTASTICS,’ it is quite charming.

The musical opened on Broadway in 1963 and ran for 331
performances.  It starred Robert Horton and Inga
Swenson.  Songs include, "Love, Don't Turn Away,"
"Poker Polka," "Everything Beautiful Happens at
Night," "You Ain't Fooling Me," "Old Maid," "Raunchy,"
and "Is It Really Me?".

‘110 IN THE SHADE’ is based on N. Richard Nash’s play
‘THE RAINMAKER,’ which was also turned into a film
which starred Burt Lancaster and Katherine Hepburn.  

It’s the middle of a heat wave in 1930's Texas. 
Everyone is longing for rain.   Lizzie Curry, in spite
of wit, intelligence and skills as a homemaker can’t
find a husband.  Even the bachelor town sheriff, for
whom she harbors a secret yen, won't take a chance. 
Suddenly, Starbuck,  a con man, passing himself off as
a rainmaker, appears.  (Think ‘MUSIC MAN’ and Dr.
Harold Hill, the slick salesman of dreams but this
time with a divining rod.)  Lizzie's world is turned
upside down and, as in all good fairy tale musicals,
there is a happy ending, but with an unusual twist.

Kalliope’s production, under the direction of Paul F.
Gurgol, is generally effective, in spite of some
weakness in character development.  

Joan Ellison was totally believable as Lizzie. 
Unfortunately, on the night I saw the production, she
lost her voice and talked the song lyrics during the
second act.  She did it very effectively.

Daniel Henning was delightful as Lizzie’s youngest
brother.  He, along with Elizabeth Kelly (Snookie)
displayed excellent dancing ability in the show’s only
really choreographed number, “Little Red Hat.”  Justin
Tatum was properly up tight as Lizzie’s older brother
and Leslie Feagan was endearing as Lizzie’s dad.  

Don Circle, Jr. had some excellent moments as the
sheriff.  He has a good	 singing voice, but seemed
somewhat stiff in the role.

Allan Snyder (Starbuck) is lead-male handsome and has
an excellent singing voice, but his acting was all on
the surface.  He entered with too much vocal dynamics
and was hyper throughout, making for audience
discomfort in the intimate theatre.

Many members of the supporting company were too
automatic in their actions.

Though effective, the slight musical accompaniment did
not do justice to Schmidt’s music.

CAPSULE JUDGEMENT:   Kallliope’s production of ‘110 IN
THE SHADE’ makes for a pleasant evening of musical
theatre. 

The show runs through May 21 at 2134 Lee Road.  For
tickets call 216-321-0870 or go on line to
www.KalliopeStage.com.



Roy Berko's web page can be found at www.royberko.info.  His theatre and dance reviews appear on NeOHIOpal, an on-line source.   To subscribe to this free service via the World Wide Web, visit http://lists.fredsternfeld.com/mailman/listinfo/neohiopal.

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