[NoHo Arts District, CA] – A NoHo Arts theatre review of The Group Rep’s Applause, directed by Bruce Kimmel, book by Betty Comden and Adolph Green, lyrics by Lee Adams, and music by Charles Strouse.
The Group Rep loves producing classic musicals, and Applause is an absolute classic. First produced on Broadway in 1970, Applause is a musical adaptation of the infamous and widely celebrated 1950s film All About Eve, which received 14 Academy Award nominations and six wins, as well as the short story on which the film was based. And what a brilliant movie that is.
For those who do not know, the story revolves around Margo, a slightly aging (middle-aged for heaven’s sake) very famous Broadway actress. At the beginning of the play, we see her presenting a Tony Award to a rising star, Eve Harrington, for the lead actress in a new play. The play that Margo originated the role of, that is, until Eve took it over in one calculated steal.
The irony of the ‘hand over’ sets the tone of the play, and as the story wizzes back from this point to the first time the two met in Margo’s dressing room. Irony, in fact, becomes a running theme.
Applause is about a manipulative young psychopath wheedling her way into the spotlight. But it is also a love letter to Broadway and everyone behind the scenes and on the stage, both the stars and the chorus who make it all work somehow night after night and twice on Sundays.
There are songs devoted to the dancers who perfect their trade in a decade and last about as long plying it, if they are lucky. But mostly, this story is about deciding when to go and when to stay and why. It’s about love meaning more than fame and fleeting glory. And of course, it is also about karma and how it always kicks you where it hurts…what goes around really does come around…man.
The Group Rep has once again proven their lofty place in the pantheon of Valley theatre. With a cast of many, all singing and all dancing, and lead actors who seemed quite literally as if they belonged on Broadway, Applause is an absolute triumph. Song after song, number after number and entrances after exits.
Applause has it all. Drama, fun, life lessons that we all need to be constantly reminded of and some of the best characters ever written for the musical stage. All brilliantly acted by this truly wonderful cast.
I cannot recommend Applause highly enough. Just when I think The Group Rep couldn’t get any better, they top themselves again!! I don’t know how they do it, but I am very grateful that they do!!
Tickets:
https://thegrouprep.com/show/applause/
Where:
The Lonny Chapman Theatre
10900 Burbank Blvd, NoHo Arts District, CA 91601
When:
July 24 – August 30
Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm; Sundays at 2pm
“After the Sunday Matinee: Talkback with Cast & Staff” on July 26 and August 2
The Cast
The Group Rep production stars Leslie Stevens as Margo Channing and Savannah Mortenson as Eve Harrington. Leslie Stevens played Anne in the 1983 Original Broadway cast of LA CAGE AUX FOLLES and Norma’s girl in the 1995 VICTOR/VICTORIA Broadway production with Julie Andrews. Savannah Mortenson recently starred in the Group Rep’s well-received productions of MY SPIRITS SOAR as Lady Lucinda Canterville and Shelby in STEEL MAGNOLIAS.
The cast features the talents of Tom Allen, Mia Catalano, Lee Grober, Doug Haverty, Zak Herman, Allison Jakubowski, Damon Kirsch, Angie Lin, Hisato Masuyama, Connie Mellors, Darrell Mondaine, Ken Patton, Lloyd Pedersen, Judy Rosenfeld, Mike Sabatino, Avan Seals, Jennifer Skiffington and Melissa Strauss.
The Team
The creative team includes Carter Vickers (Set Design), Devin Harris (Lighting Design), John Harvey (Sound Design), Shon LeBlanc (Costume Design), Wendy Dale Young (Prop Master), Shelby Hopkins (Assistant Director), Richard Allen (Music Arranger), Gerald Sternbach (Rehearsal Pianist), Becca Sweitzer (Choreographer), Wendy Dale Young (Assistant Director), Shelby Hopkins (Assistant Director & Stage Crew), Cathy Tomlin (Sound Mixer/Stage Manager), John Ledley (Light Board Operator), Gerald Sternbach (Rehearsal Pianist) and Cynthia Payo (Assistant Costume Design), Kristin Stancato (Webmaster/Online Marketing), Denise Downer (Marketing), Doug Haverty (Graphic Design), Doug Engalla (Promotional Video & Photography) and Nora Feldman (Publicity).