<div dir="ltr"><div class="gmail_quote"><div dir="ltr"><h1>Broadview Heights Spotlights Community Theater's Baby is enjoyable </h1><p></p><p>By
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Chuck Poliafico, Sun News
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<br>on September 17, 2013 at 2:57 PM, updated <span title="2013-09-17T21:59:51Z">September 17, 2013 at 5:59 PM</span></p><p><br>BROADVIEW HTS. - Sometimes less is more – a lot more.</p><p>
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. </p><p> 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. </p><p> 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.</p><p>
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. </p><p> 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. </p><p> 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. </p><p> 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. </p><p> Also not to be overlooked are the young
students with Tim Schuerger and Sarah Maria Hess bringing a lot of
energy to their roles. </p><p> 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. </p><p> An energetic
ensemble is rounded out by Karen Johnston, Jaclyn Phelps, Daryl Kelley,
Justin Schickler, Jackie Luthy, Jenilee Grabenhorst and Shane Stahl. </p><p>
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. </p><p>
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.</p><p> The theater is located at 9543 Broadview
Road, Broadview Heights. For ticket reservations or further information
contact <a href="tel:440-526-4404" value="+14405264404" target="_blank">440-526-4404</a> or <a href="http://broadview-heights-spotlights.org" target="_blank">broadview-heights-spotlights.org</a>.</p><p><i>The above article can be found online at <a href="http://www.cleveland.com/broadview-heights/index.ssf/2013/09/broadview_heights_spotlights_c_12.html#incart_river" target="_blank">http://www.cleveland.com/broadview-heights/index.ssf/2013/09/broadview_heights_spotlights_c_12.html#incart_river</a>.</i></p>
<p></p><p><font size="4"><b><i>Remaining performances of </i>BABY <i>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.</i></b></font> <br>
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