[NEohioPAL] Fwd: Review of BABY, the musical at the Broadview Heights Spotlights

[Tim Anderson, Education Director]

Broadview Heights Spotlights Community Theater's Baby is enjoyable

By Chuck Poliafico, Sun News
on September 17, 2013 at 2:57 PM, updated September 17, 2013 at 5:59 PM


BROADVIEW HTS. - Sometimes less is more – a lot more.

Such is the case with the Broadview Heights Spotlights Community Theater
production of “Baby,” that opened Sept. 13 and runs through Sept. 28. The
musical is a tuneful tribute examining the prospects of pending parenthood
through three couples all affiliated with a New York university.

The first couple (Tim Schuerger and Sarah Maria Hess) are students at the
university, both young and unmarried. The second couple (Tim Anderson and
Tara Corkery) are ready and willing to become parents, but cannot conceive.
The maneuvering and regulations that they are put through to assist with
becoming pregnant makes for some of the humorist moments in the show.

The most poignant of the couples (Rob Albrecht and Pam Matthews) are
married and in their 40s, just beginning to face life without their grown
children at home. Now they face the prospect of starting over in raising a
child, with each one having a different perspective on the situation.

Director Ryan Bergeron put together a top-notch and impressive cast that
makes this somewhat dated musical, which first came out on Broadway in the
early 80s, extremely enjoyable. In addition to serving as director,
Bergeron is also the music director and keyboardist for the production.

The keyboard is the only instrument used in the musical, which adds to the
quality of the show. Instead of having more musical instruments in the
production, Bergeron focuses on the music on the strong voices of all six
of his lead actors.

The chemistry between each of the couples is also well served, none better
than that of Anderson and Corkery as the married couple trying to conceive.
Both appeared last season in the theater's two-person outstanding
production, “John and Jen,” and their strong chemistry together continues
in this musical.

Veterans Rob Albrecht and Pam Matthews also bring much to the show with
their impressive and touching performances. As Arlene and Alan McNally,
whose marriage is even more threatened with the unexpected pregnancy as
they were about to learn how to live contently alone together, Matthews and
Albrecht deliver much of the drama to the musical as she contemplates an
abortion and he becomes excited at being a father again.

Also not to be overlooked are the young students with Tim Schuerger and
Sarah Maria Hess bringing a lot of energy to their roles.

This cast of six is so superb in its performance and musical voice, that it
elevates this show and brings much more charm and buoyancy to the
production covering up some of the plot contraptions that are delivered by
a script that is more interested in quick one-liners instead of substance.

An energetic ensemble is rounded out by Karen Johnston, Jaclyn Phelps,
Daryl Kelley, Justin Schickler, Jackie Luthy, Jenilee Grabenhorst and Shane
Stahl.

Choreographer Maggie Majercik keeps the dance movements at a minimum and
Anderson, who also serves as technical director, keeps the lighting simple,
adding to the value of this production. Bergeron keeps the set pieces
simple, using a breakaway bed and several boxes which are moved around on
stage during the numerous scenes in the show.

Broadview Hts. Spotlights production of “Baby” is an entertaining show, one
that the opening night audience seemed to enjoy thoroughly. It should not
be missed.

The theater is located at 9543 Broadview Road, Broadview Heights. For
ticket reservations or further information contact 440-526-4404 or
broadview-heights-spotlights.org.

*The above article can be found online at
http://www.cleveland.com/broadview-heights/index.ssf/2013/09/broadview_heights_spotlights_c_12.html#incart_river
.*

*Remaining performances of BABY are Friday, September 20; Saturday,
September 21; Friday, September 27; and Saturday, September 28 at 7:30PM.
There is also a matinee this Sunday, September 22 at 3:00PM.*
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