Dolly Parton’s voiceover sets the tone for the surrealistic trip into 1979 that is 9 to 5. Dundalk Community Theatre’s production is certain to delight and entertain fans of the original movie and the music of Dolly Parton on which the show is based. With a sold ensemble cast and phenomenal leads, this production is definitely top-notch.

The show is centered on a dynamic trio of ladies. Violet (Nancy Parrish Asendorf) is a single mother and widow who dreams of being a female CEO, while in reality she is continually passed over for jobs in management that are given to men. Asendorf is incredibly dynamic and finds a way to make Violet strong without compromising her femininity. She has a rock solid vocal and never misses a beat.

At the beginning of the show, Violet takes a new secretary under her wing, Judy (Brenda L. Tackett). Judy’s husband left her for his secretary, and she has had to take a job for the first time her life. Tackett starts out with this wonderful wide-eyed look and rambling speech that slowly matures and strengthen through the musical. The combination of her voice and acting brings goose bumps when Judy finally as her major breakthrough in “Get Out and Stay Out.”

Rounding out this unlikely trio is Doralee (Carli Smith). A blonde bombshell with a southern accent, Doralee has a hard time being accepted by other females. Smith is simply delightful, and she has an incredible powerhouse voice.

What truly bonds these women is their incredible dislike of their “sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical bigot” boss, Franklin Hart (John O’Brien). O’Brien’s performance is flawless. He creates a character that is beyond unlikable and yet still believable.

Shining in supporting roles are Allie Dreskin as Roz and Russell Gartner as Joe. Dreskin is aptly over-the-top with an awesome belt, and Gartner is sweet and loveable with melodic tenor voice. Other stars of this production are the technical elements — set, costumes, lighting, and sound — which all run seamlessly and set the appropriate mood and tone for the production.

There is a clear vision for 9 to 5 that seems true to the author’s intention, and it is carried out as well as it possibly could be in this strong production.

Cast

• Violet: Nancy Parrish Asendorf
• Doralee: Carli Smith
• Judy: Brenda L. Tackett
• Josh: Gino Cardoni
• Dwayne: Henry Reisinger, Jr.
• Roz: Allie Dreskin
• Missy Hart: Deborah Desmone
• Maria: Erica L. Garfield
• Kathy: Amy Sacks
• Margaret: Alice Scanlon
• Franklin Hart: John O’Brien
• Joe: Russell Gartner
• Dick: John Machovech
• Bob Enright: Michael Maistros
• Security Guard: Tyrell Stanley
• Detective: Albert J. Boeren
• Cop: Timoth David Copney
• Doctor: Jim Morgan
• Candy Striper: Zoe Feldman
• Tinsworthy: Dave Guy
• New Employee: Seth Saunders
• Ensemble: Albert J. Boeren, Libby Burgess, Timoth Copney, Amanda Dickson, Zoe Feldman, Erica Garfield, Kelsey Luchey, Michael Maistros, Laura May, Jim Morgan, Amy Sacks, Seth Saunders, Alice Scanlon, Lacy Schmidt, Tyrell Stanley
• Featured Dance Ensemble: Libby Burgess, Amanda Dickson, Zoe Feldman, Kelsey Luchey, Laura May, Lacy Schmidt

Production

• Director: John Desmone
• Scenic/Lighting Designer/Technical Director: Marc W. Smith
• Musical Director: R. Christopher Rose
• Choreographer: Bambi Johnson
• Costume Designer: James J Fasching
• Orchestra Conductor: Tim Viets
• Stage Manager: Emily Jewett
• Properties Manager: Lisa Boeren

Disclaimer: Dundalk Community Theatre provided two complimentary media tickets to ShowBizRadio for this review.

“A Little Less Conversation, A Little More Action Please.” That’s exactly what Dundalk Community Theatre’s production of the Elvis Presley Jukebox musical All Shook Up devilishly delivers: song after song, brilliantly imaginative dance number after dance number, and one outstanding performance after another.

Ok, so the story. Well, imagine Footloose meets Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. All Shook Up is a new musical comedy built around a number of songs made famous by Elvis Presley. It’s not a biographical revue. It takes place in 1955, somewhere in middle America, where one girl’s dream and a surprise visit from a mysterious leather-jacketed, guitar-playing stranger help a small town to discover the magic of romance and the power of rock & roll. Among the 24 songs featured in the score are classics like “Heartbreak Hotel,” “Love Me Tender,” “Don’t Be Cruel,” “Can’t Help Falling in Love,” and, of course, the title tune.

Logan Burke (Natalie Haller/Ed) and Christopher H. Zargarbashi (Chad) star as the romantic love interests. Zargarbashi is perfectly cast as the young (ala Elvis) Roustabout with a gorgeous velvet voice and looks to match. Though a bit nervous at the opening of the show, that quickly all disappears and he becomes alive and delivers a strong performance. Logan, who is very natural and comfortable on stage, does well going from Natalie to Ed with ease; however, there were some major vocal challenges, especially on the lower alto arrangements. Still, her acting and comic timing were stellar. Jim Baxter (Dennis) nails it all: the acting, the singing, the dancing. With beautiful nuances and tender physical comedy, he is one of the standouts of the supporting cast. Brian Jacobs (Jim Haller) also takes no prisoners. A seasoned veteran of the stage, Jacobs’s beautiful voice and rubbery, expressive face is a thing of joy. Rikki Howie (Sylvia) is superb, delivering most of the show’s ballads with a silky, sultry voice and a dose of attitude.

Joelle Atkinson (Loraine) is flawless! A senior in high school, Atkinson’s talent is way beyond her years. (See you on Broadway, girl!) Jake Stuart (Dean Hyde) is absolutely charming and beautifully honest in his performance with a beautiful tenor voice and great chemistry with Atkinson. It’s a beautiful sight. Mary Elizabeth Mullin (Mayor Matilda Hyde) is a hoot: full of energy and dedication to the role. She makes a great “Villain” and brings down the house with “Devil in Disguise.” Rebecca Garrahy (Miss Sandra) elegantly portrays the bombshell of the show; however, some tender and comic moments are lost in the too big personality of the character. A little bit less would have been a bit more. Her vocals were spotless. Bobby Mahoney (Sheriff Earl) spends practically the entire show in silence with a lollypop in his mouth, shadowing and following orders of Mayor Hyde until the very end, when he bursts in with a hilarious, perfectly timed monologue and sets the mayor straight. (Well done, sir!)

On top of all that, there is a brilliant, vibrant, talented, energetic, limber, versatile, vocally flawless ensemble. That elevates the show and makes it a brilliant spectacle.

Director Rob W. Oppel creates a great evening of entertainment with imaginative staging, creative direction, a strong, fully executed vision and a perfect artistic and production team. Words can not describe the amazing, innovative, fun, creative, difficult and perfect choreography of Vincent Musgrove, the beautiful and majestic vocal direction of Russell Gartner, the superb, perfectly designed and built colorful set of Technical Director Marc W. Smith, and a cornucopia of detailed, period perfect, innovative, gorgeous costumes from legendary costume master James J Fasching.

So “Don’t Be Cruel,” “Let Yourself Go,” put on your “Blue Suede Shoes,” and treat yourself to All Shook Up.

Cast

• Natalie Haller: Logan Burke
• Chad: Christopher H. Zargarbashi
• Jim Haller: Brian Jacobs
• Sylvia: Rikki Howie
• Lorraine: Joele Atkinson
• Dennis: Jim Baxter
• Miss Sandra: Rebecca Garrahy
• Mayor Matilda Hyde: Mary Elizabeth Mullin
• Dean Hyde: Jake Stuart
• Sheriff Earl: Bobby Mahoney
• Henrietta: Lissa Pastella-Young
• Townspeople: Keiron Green, Michael Rostek, Tracey Michelle Zimmerman, Libby Burges, Kelsey Luchey, Laura May, Danielle Lott, Derek Cooper, Lauren Everd, Quae Simpson, Lisa Pastella-Young

Production

• Director: Robert W. Oppel
• Scenic/Lighting Design/Technical Direction: Marc W. Smith
• Vocal Director: Russell Gartner
• Choreographer: Vincent Musgrave
• Orchestra Conductor/Manager: Tim Viets
• Rehearsal Accopmanist: Chris Rose
• Costume Designer: James J. Fasching
• Stage Manager: Jhon Chrzanowski
• Properties: Deborah Jennys
• Scenic Painter: Irene Sitoski
• Sound Design & Board Operator: Terry Edwards
• Costume Construction: Della Lotman
• Costume Assistant: Bill Lotman
• Costume Rentals: A. T. Jones, Toby’s Dinner Theatre
• Orchestra Members: Tim Viets, Chris Rose, Corey Hewitt, Robert Delisle, Steven Haaser, Helen Schlaich, Tony Neenan, Bernard Robier, Will Brumbach

Disclaimer: Dundalk Community Theatre provided three complimentary media tickets to ShowBizRadio for this review.

Mix-ups. Mayhem. And a Gay Wedding!” proclaims The Man in the Chair following with “Of course, a gay wedding has a different meaning now.” Thus sets the tone for Dundalk Community Theatre’s delightful and whimsical production of The Drowsy Chaperone. The Drowsy Chaperone is a musical with book by Bob Martin and Don McKellar and music and lyrics by Lisa Lambert and Greg Morrison. It debuted in 1998 at The Rivoli in Toronto and opened on Broadway on May 1, 2006. The show won the Tony Award for Best Book and Best Score.

The Drowsy Chaperone (self-proclaimed “A Musical Within a Comedy”) is a show within a show. The Man in the Chair (Patrick Martin) greets us in the dark and proceeds to take us flawlessly into the world of his favorite musical (The Drowsy Chaperone). He puts the record on and the musical comes to life with all the characters appearing in his apartment. We meet Mrs. Tottendale (Sarah Chrzanowski) and her faithful yet “slightly” annoyed butler Underling (Ernie Ritchey), the facilitators of the wedding; Robert Martin (Robert Tucker) who is about to marry Janet; Janet VanDeGraff (Amy Pierson), a star of the stage who is giving it up for love; her producer Mr. Feldzeig (Roger Schulman), who is less than thrilled about her decision; his blonde bombshell, dumb as nails (or is she?) girlfriend Kitty (Sara Anne Simpkins); the nervous, overwhelmed but always aiming to please best man George (Albert J. Boeren); the self-proclaimed greatest lover Aldolpho (Jeff Burch); two bumbling gangsters who pose as pastry chefs; an outed Aviatrix named Trix (Carly J. Callendar); and the elegant, soaked-with-martinis Chaperone (Shannon Wollman). It all makes brilliant sense at the end and truly delivers “Mix-ups. Mayhem. And a Gay Wedding!”

Patrick Martin (Man in Chair) leads this energetically talented cast. Martin’s performance is ingenious: over the top, yet passionately and emotionally subtle. He is dysfunctional, heartwarming, and downright hysterical. Just imagine Paul Lynd meets Phyllis Diller. Amy Pierson (Janet) is a triple threat with perfect comic timing. Robert Tucker (Robert) shines with horrible acting (that, my friends, takes a heck of a lot of talent) and a beautiful tenor voice. Roger Shulman (Feldzeig), Sara Anne Simpkins (Kitty), Kevin Connell Muth (Gangster #1), Will Poxton (Gangster #2), and Carly J. Callendar (Trix) provide stereotypical Hollywood musicals characters flawlessly. Albert J. Boren (George) puts a lot of effort and energy into the bumbling best man. Jeff Burch (Aldolpho) and Shannon Wollman (Chaperone)…WOW… Where do I start? Let’s just say their performances and show-stealing scenes are worth the price of admission!

A beautiful set, drop dead gorgeous back drops, perfectly proper and creative set pieces and lighting put you in the right mood for every need thanks to the mischievous talent of Scenic/Lighting Design/Technical Director Marc W. Smith. The deliciously luscious and very functional costumes are the effort of Costume Coordinator James J. Fashing. Tim Viets does a masterful job conducting the sometimes challenging and fast-tempoed score. The production is directed, vocally directed, and choreographed by mastermind/evil genius Tom Wyatt. It’s nice to see that community theatre still has great directors and choreographers who are not afraid to challenge their cast with difficult and creative material. Though I’m still having irrational dreams about singing and dancing monkeys.

The Drowsy Chaperone is a must-see, practically for all ages. Some of the sharper, blue-collar humor jokes go over the young one’s heads. So, if you need something to lift you up or if you’re simply feeling “blue,” this production will definitely do the trick.

Cast

• Man In Chair: Patrick Martin
• Mrs. Tottendal: Sarah Chrzanowski
• Underling: Ernie Ritchey
• Staff: Lauren Everd, Beth Higbee, Lauren J. Lowell, Paula Montrie, Laura Pierpont.
• Robert Martin: Robert Tucker
• George: Albert J. Boeren
• Mr. Feldzeig: Roger Schulman
• Kitty: Sara Anne Simpkins
• Gangster #1: Kevin Connell Muth
• Gangster #2: Will Poxon
• Aldolpho: Jeff Burch
• Janet Vandegraff: Amy Pierson
• The Drowsy Chaperone: Shannon Wollman
• Trix The Aviatrix: Carly J. Callendar
• Superintendant: James Morton

Production Staff

• Director/Vocal Director/Choreographer: Tom Wyatt
• Scenic/Lighting Design/Technical Director: Marc W. Smith
• Orchestra Manager/Conductor: Tim Viets
• Costume Coordinator: James J. Fasching
• Stage Manager/Properties: Molly Hopkins

Disclaimer: Dundalk Community Theatre provided four complimentary media tickets to ShowBizRadio for this review.

• The Drowsy Chaperone, November 2011 Schedule
• Go Back For Murder, February – March 2012 Schedule
• All Shook Up, May 2012 Schedule

Schedule is subject to change due to performance rights conflicts or other issues.