Editor’s note: This is the first of a two-part series about regional summer theater. By Judith Reynolds
Special to the Herald
Take a drive and add to your summer entertainment. From professional companies in Creede to Cedar City, from international opera in Santa Fe, there’s a range of entertainment choices this summer – if you’re willing to travel.
For smart, spirited, professional theater, there’s no place quite like Creede. Now in its 52nd season, the company has solidified its reputation for polished, high-style summer theater. CRT just opened two of its six shows, the award-winning musical “She Loves Me” and a stunning two-character, 22-role play about South Africa, “The Syringa Tree.” Here’s a brief review.
“The Syringa Tree,” by Pamela Gien, tells the story of two families torn by political strife. As told by Lizzie, a 6-year-old girl (winningly portrayed by Caitlin Wise), the drama spans time and tragedies to arrive at a mature acceptance of life’s complexities. Roles as varied as Lizzie’s physician father and favorite nanny are portrayed by the excellent Portland Thomas. “Tree” won the Obie Award in 2001 for Best Play and was subsequently turned into a novel.
Composer Jerry Bock may be most famous for “Fiddler on the Roof,” but the same inventive tunefulness characterizes his 1963 award-winning musical “She Loves Me.” Based on Miklos Lászlós 1930 play about workplace hierarchies and a hidden employee romance, the story has retained its charm in this revival that swept Broadway only a year ago. Credit Director Michael Perlman with smart, snappy scene changes and a marvelous cast for both humorous and haunting characterizations. Every detail knits into the texture of this classic that complements other work-world romances like “Pajama Game” and “How to Succeed in Business.” It may well be the sleeper of the season. Don’t miss it.
Credit New York Director-Choreographer Melissa Firlit for integrating pushups into ancient Egypt. She’s injected this quirky bit into Thingamajig’s high-energy romp of Elton John’s pop-rock musical “Aida,” which opened on Broadway in 2000. Last weekend, the Pagosa production opened and will run through the end of August.
Based on Verdi’s tragic opera of the same title, this funky “Aida” puts a modern spin on a story about an ancient slave princess (the engaging Jameelah Leaundra) and her military captor Radames (the dreamy lyric baritone Luke Hefner). They choose love over social conventions, and an unexpected twist reframes the original tragic ending.
Not all company singers rise to the level of the leads, but if you love pop-rock musicals, this is for you. Because the large cast performs in repertory, you’ll see familiar faces in all four productions. “Hairspray,” the second show, opens June 23, and is followed by “Big River “on July 8. It’s a tuneful retelling of Mark Twain’s Huckleberry Finn. “Sister Act,” the fourth summer show opens July 15.
Pagosa is a one hour drive from Durango, and there’s plenty of parking.
Judith Reynolds is an arts journalist and member of the American Theater Critics Association.
Creede Repertory Theatre
What: 52nd season of Creede Repertory Theatre. Six shows in rotation now through Sept. 16: “She Loves Me,” “Arsenic and Old Lace,” “The Syringa Tree,” “Talley’s Folly,” “General Store” and “Pants on Fire,” a musical for kids. Two theaters, matinee and evening performances.
Address: 124 N. Main St., Creede.
Tickets: Range from $8 children to $35-$40 adults. Packages make it possible to see five shows in a weekend.
For more: Call (719) 658-2540 or visit www.creederep.org.
Thingamajig Theatre Co.
What: Broadway in the Mountains, four musicals in repertory now through Aug. 27: “Aida,” “Hairspray,” Sister Act,” “Big River.” Matinee and evening performances.
Address: 2313 Eagle Drive, Pagosa Springs.
Tickets: Range from $18 children 12 and younger, $35 adults in advance, $40 at the door. Packages and discounts available.
More information: Call 731-7469 or visit www.pagosacenter.org.
