Event Review-Cole Porter's Brilliance By 4 Great Performers...ICT's "Let's Misbehave" is Show-Stopping Grand!

PATCH  Event Review - Cole Porter's Brilliance By 4 Great Performers ... ICT's "Let's Misbehave" is Show-Stopping Grand!

Reviewed By: Joseph Sirota                          

What's even more charming and impressive than a live, up-close evening of 34 brilliant Cole Porter classic songs? How about wrapping them into a smart, charming tale of 3 New York 1930 sophisticates endless partying until agreeing to examine, "Hey, where's our destined loves?"  Cole Porters, unbeatable songs of LOVE, fit to a magnificent clever, tee the sharp, yet poignant Book & Musical arrangements by the team of Karin Bowersock(Book) &  Patrick Young(Musical Arrangements). Not only do the story's three society hi-flyers of Alice, Dorothy & Walter get an unforgettable voyage into the meaning, feeling and needs "true/deep"-Love, vs. "party/cocktails"-Love; But, we, the audience learn our own lesson of not envying fancy Party-Life, vs. finding a life-long kindred-spirit partner for life's journey. Offered equally, is a very wise and quite poignant examination of the value of true FRIENDSHIP . Deep Friendship may not have as many kisses/heart-beats, but is also a true treasure.

Let's Misbehave's joyful music & in-depth wisdom is carried out in 2-Hours, 2-Acts, & one Evening/Day in the storyline. This is to be lauded to the Genius of Cole Porter & the Book-Arrangement creative team. But, much applause & hoorays in this Outstanding ICT 29th season opening production,(a splendid Entertainment-Event), is due to Director/Choreographer -Todd Nielsen, & Music Director/Accompanist Brian Baker, & Darryl Archibald-Musical Supervisor.  Todd Nielsen is about as good a combination Director-Choreographer as anyone in Southern-California Land -- and what can I say, he seems to even be getting even better (Bravo!). Brian Baker, is like while, excellent, and also shows only signs of even more "fitting" into dem musicals with aplomb --- and as an accompanist On-Stage, in this production, it gives Baker a chance to show his charisma and charm (fun, too!). As for Mr Archibald...just take a look at quantity & quality & diversity... the talent/ability is clear. I can only mention a handful of my favorite Cole Porter gems -- as almost all 34 songs merit titles of Great/Classics: Night and Day,” “Begin the Beguine”, “Anything Goes", "I Get a Kick Out of You", "You Do Something to Me", "I've Got You Under My Skin", "Just One of Those Things", "Friendship”, "De-Lovely ,"In the Still of the Night", "Let's Fall in Love", "So in Love"...

Now, who have I left out? Could it be the other three(3) Actors/Singers/Dancers/Charmers ... who brought  Socialites Alice(Jennifer Shelton), Dorothy(Lindsey Alley) & Walter(Marc Ginsburg)...? Don't think for a moment of leaving out this trio of live & so lively Stage Stars, who can and will bring you a tremendously fine musical/storyline, and are especially delightfully powerful on ICT's more intimate stage compared to the 1000+ seats theaters. These 3 (plus accompanist Brian) each take the spot-light again and again in Let's Misbehave, and make clear they are able and delightful in solos. Oh, then, minutes later they come on with one other as a duet, or still later, just as comfortably, all come together in a trio that also again and again knocks the audience for a much welcome loop and lotsa' applause, smiles, guffaws ... and even tears as called for. I will not speak of each individual "LEAD", because the simple truth is there is No Lead, because they ALL are Leads in singing, dancing, acting and even comic timing ... be it facial or physical OR BOTH. This is a terrific team, and I wouldn't bat a second to cast any in future roles. Indeed, seeing the name of any of this cast in a future musical/ play, will coax me to go see them again, and enjoy their fine thespian gifts.

Peek off stage and you'll find this a flawless ICT production. Perfect SOUND(Dave Mickey)-- best clarity and balance & "hidden" all to ask for in a musical. Convincing/Time-Place SET(JR Bruce). Captivating Costumes( KimDeShazo).  Well Designed Lighting(Donna Ruzika). Stage Mgr (Henry Fernandez). Fine Casting(Michael Donovan). Artistic Director/Producer Strong 29th Season(caryn desai).   Rating: A Tasty Delight !   

=> Let's Misbehave, ICT opens 29th season with a Superb Theater Production... at International City Theatre, 300 East Ocean Blvd, Long Beach CA.  Schedule: Thurs-thru-Saturdays @ 8:pm, & Sunday Matinees @ 2:pm. Tkts: $42-$47 Closes Feb 16.  For Tkts & Info, Call: (562) 436-4610.  For Internet:  www.InternationalCityTheatre.com