By: Joyell Nevins
Weekly Record Herald Editor
Courtesy of the Weekly Record Herald, Printed July 22, 2011
A classic fairy tale gets a theatrical face lift with La Comedia Dinner Theatre’s musical Sleeping Beauty, with music by Jerome Kern and lyrics from Oscar Hammerstein, Irving Berlin, P.G. Wodehouse, Ira Gershwin and Otto Harbach.
This time, Princess Aurora goes under the alias of Sunny, and works at Madame Sophie’s Theatrical Company – Madame Sophie being the Fairy Godmother Sophie in disguise. The princess works as a prop girl with the traveling show, unaware of her true identity and madly in love with the show’s leading man, Maxwell.
Adventure ensues when the evil fairy, Francine, finds out where the girl is hiding and kidnaps her on the eve of her sixteenth birthday. Between the kidnapping and happily ever after is an assortment of songs, jokes, and even a stylized fight scene that looks like it came straight out of The Nutcracker ballet.
The main characters are joined in their quests by such fun sidekicks as a narrator who loves Shakespeare quotes and two bumbling henchmen. Look for special gags, too, like when Francine knocks out Sunny’s palace guard, yet his arm somehow be-bops through Francine’s whole next song.
Although Francine had the most finger-snapping songs, Sunny’s voice stood out as one of the most melodious. Played by Amy Marie Stewart, her tones were beautiful and light, matching her character’s name. Becky Barrett-Jones, who played Godmother Sophie, also reached her high notes with ease and grace.
But the show-stealer award definitely goes to Tauren Hagans, for her over-the-top portrayal of Francine. Whenever the evil fairy in her sequined purple gown walked on stage, all eyes went to her. Channeling a little bit of Brooklyn and a lot of sass, Hagans entertains audiences well with the character they love to hate. And she may give the Wizard of Oz’s Wicked Witch of the West a run for her money with that evil laugh.
La Comedia has geared this show specifically towards families, endeavoring to make the evening more kid-friendly. The musical is only about an hour and a half long, and the menu includes items such as hot dogs, macaroni and cheese, and chicken tenders. They still keep their signature sweet potato soufflé, carved meats, and house salad with the papaya chutney dressing, though. Plus, little girls will love the flowing dresses and crowns that make up the female costumes.
Sleeping Beauty runs through August 28. Adult tickets range from $51-69. Children 11 and under are $28. For more information or to make reservations, call 1-800-677-9505 or visit www.lacomedia.com.
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