[NEohioPAL]Berko review: NINE (Cain Park)

[Roy Berko]

‘NINE’ is the right number at Cain Park

Roy Berko

(Member, American Theatre Critics Association)

--THE TIMES NEWSPAPERS--

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

--COOL CLEVELAND.COM--


‘NINE, THE MUSICAL,’ which is now on stage at the Alma
Theatre at Cain Park, is a challenging undertaking. 
The script requires a director who not only
understands the personality and idiosyncracies of
Federico Fellini, the famous film director upon whom
the story is based, but also has a fine command of
stage techniques.  There is a demand for an
extraordinary choreographer, a cast of 14 very
talented women, a male lead who has to control the
stage, and a young boy who carries a great deal of the
play’s meaning on his tiny shoulders.  

Local theatre-goers need not worry.  The Cain Park
production is not only up to the task, but far exceeds
expectations.  The show is in the competent hands of
director Vicki Bussert, choreographer Martin Cespedes
and musical director Nancy Gantose-Maier.  It stars
Fabio Polanco, who is surrounded by a remarkable set
of talented performers.

‘NINE, THE MUSICAL’ has a book by Arthur Kopit. 
Kopit, is probably best known for his 1960 play, ‘OH
DAD, POOR DAD, MAMA'S HUNG YOU IN THE CLOSET AND I'M
FEELING' SO SAD.’   An avant-garde writer, his style
has been dubbed “pseudoclassical tragifarce.”  He was
a perfect choice to write about Federico Fellini,
whose life was much like an absurdist comedy/drama. 
Fellini was a genius who ad libbed his way through
many of his often abstract, but critically acclaimed
films.  He was also a man who seemingly had little
understanding of long term personal or professional
commitments.  As Guido Contini (Fellini’s name in the
play) sings, “I wouldn’t be lonely if I could be only
with you…and you…and you.”   

It’s early 1960.  Contini (Fellini) is facing his
fortieth birthday and is in the midst of a midlife
crisis which is blocking his creative impulses.  In
addition, he is entangled in a web of difficulties
involving his wife, a producer, his mistress, a
protege, and his deceased mother.

Through a series of daydream sequences, often
interrupted by Guido's waking thoughts, the audience
gets a look into the mind and creative process of a
man who many consider to be not only a genius, but a
troubled soul.   As deadlines and relationship
problems fill his thoughts, Guido retreats deeper into
his reflections until the past and present become a
single blend of love, hurt, comedy, and drama.

The Broadway production, directed by Tommy Tune and
starring Raúl Juliá, opened in 1982 and ran for 729
performances. It won five Tony awards, including best
musical.  A 2003 revival ran for 283 performances, won
two Tony awards, including that for best revival of a
musical.   The cast included Antonio Banderas, Mary
Stuart Masterson, Chita Rivera and Jane Krakowski. 

Vicki Bussert has a talent for making the “small” play
into a great piece of theatre.  Such past Cain Park
productions as ‘BAT BOY,’ ‘tick, tick...Boom!’ and
‘SIDE SHOW’ were all examples of fine, fine theatre.  
She knows how to use intimate spaces like the Alma
Theatre to get the audience totally involved in the
goings on.  She makes ‘NINE’ a must see production.  

Bussert is aided by Martin Cespedes, the premiere
choreographer on the Cleveland theatre scene.  The
winner of numerous Times Theatre Awards, Cespedes has
a talent for seeing choreographic possibilities that
fit both the dancers, no matter their level of talent,
while fulfilling the needs of the script.  His staging
of “Folies Bergeres” is nothing short of spectacular. 
It’s worth going to see the show to experience this
one number.

Musical director Nancy Gantose-Maier and her orchestra
were in fine tune.  Ross Borski’s scenic and lighting
designs were excellent and Terry Pieritz’s black and
white costumes set a perfect tone.

And, then there was the cast. Even though the show has
clear leading roles, it is, in reality, an ensemble
vehicle which requires every performer to be of top
quality.   This cast is of top quality!

Fabio Polanco was properly obsessively driven as
Contini.  He has a strong singing voice and acting
skills to match.  He does not portray the Fellini
character, he occupies it.  

Maryann Nagel, the grande dame of Cleveland musical
theatre, was her usual excellent self as Lilliane
LaFleur, Contini’s producer.  She was the soul of the
spectacular “Folies Bergeres” number, walking down the
runway of life with confidence and  a flair.

Tracee Patterson, another local acting celeb, was
compelling as Luisa, Contini’s long suffering wife. 
Her “Be On Your Own,” was emotionally wrenching, while
“My Husband Makes Movies,” was well interpreted.

Trista Moldovan (Carla) gave a fine sensual rendition
of “A Call From The Vatican;” Cassandra Goldbach
(Sarraghina) sang a powerful “Ti Voglio Bene/Be
Italian;” and, though she often feigned Claudia by
posing and posturing rather than experiencing the
feelings and thoughts of the character, Joan Ellison
effectively sang “A Man Like You.”

Aric Generette Floyd almost stole the show with his
performance as the young Guido.  Aric has a mobile
face, stayed in character throughout the production,
and performed his lines with meaning and clarity. 
This is one talented young man.

Only “The Grand Canal Film” sequence was questionable.
 The film, which was produced by Kasumi, was overly
long.  Though it attempted to duplicate the choppy,
segmented feel of Fellini, it failed to do so.  It was
overly repetitive and missed it’s mark by being more
comic than absurd.

CAPSULE JUDGEMENT:  Cain Park’s “NINE, THE MUSICAL’ is
a must see for anyone wanting to experience thoughtful
musical theatre at its finest.  Those wanting pure
entertainment would be better guided to Play House
Square’s ‘LION KING.’  For the rest...’NINE’S the
right number!

‘NINE, THE MUSICAL’’ runs through August 19 at the
Alma Theatre in Cain Park.  For tickets call
216-371-3000.


Roy Berko's blog, which contains theatre and dance reviews from 2002 through 2007, as well as his consulting and publications information, can be found at http://royberko.info
      
Roy's theatre and dance reviews appear regularly 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.  His reviews also appear on www.coolcleveland.com


       
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