FSFCTG GOES LEGALLY BLONDE

Artistic Director Maryellen Pierce does it again with a sparkling production of Legally Blonde the Musical.  Can the timing be better?   Both Legally Blonde and Legally Blonde II have been hitting the tv screen on more than one channel, like a marathon.   Just in case, I’ll cite the plot as I cite the actors who portray…but maybe not all 30 or so. 

Legally Blonde the Musical is based upon the movie with a few changes to adapt the “musical”.  Let’s begin with Elle Woods (Brittany Juilfs), the blonde and sorority sister of Delta Nu, who is in love with Warner Huntington III (Christian Barnes) and expecting an engagement ring.  Wrong. He’s off to Harvard Law School and wants a “serious” gf for his political future.  What is a girl to do but make her way into Harvard as well.

It seems that Warner has now found another gf, Vivienne Kensington (Dena Cique) and Elle’s upset brings her to beauty salon where Paulette Bounofuonte (Amanda Doris) works as Elle spills her story and vice versa.  Paulette split up with her longtime boyfriend Dewey (Erik Neilssen), who has their dog Rufus…yes, it’s a real dog…one of two who steal the show.  Btw, it is Erik’s dog.

Callahan (Gene Ferrari) is her professor and lawyer Emmett Forrest (Paul Regan) works for him.   Up comes a case as Callahan assigns some of his students to assist.   Who is chosen?  Enid Hoopes (Angel Vail), a lesbian along with Warner, Vivienne and Elle.  Perfect team for the plot.

They are defending Brooke Wyndham (Britain Gebhardt) who is accused of killing her husband.  The so called witnesses are the daughter and pool boy.  

Let’s get back to Paulette.  Kyle (also played by Erik) is the UPS guy who sexily struts and says, “I have a package for you.”  Another show stealer!   The whole scenario of Paulette falling for Kyle and vice versa  is quite humorous. 

Skip to the trial. It is the pool boy, Nikos (Nelson J. Rocha) and Kiki (Amanda Montoni, the deceased’s daughter, testifying that they saw Brooke standing over the dead body.  Nikos says that he and Brooke had been having an affair.   Elle’s gaydar senses the truth as the cast breaks into “There! Right There! Is he gay or European?  Emmet’s questioning exposes him and his lover, Carlos (Clarence P. Ilanan).  

Ultimately, it’s Kiki who killed her father, Brooke winds up with Emmet and Paulette marries Kyle.

Aside from some kinks of set changing, the show went quite well.  Between the choreographer David Arzberger and the Dance Captain Amanda Montoni dance numbers were well done and in sinc.   Musical Director Paul Johnson did a fine job not only with the band but getting each actor, no matter how large or small the part, to sing on key. 

Show “stealers”:  Amanda Doris for her song belting and comedic facial expressions; Erik Neilssen for both his sexy walking and his dog.  “Elle’s” dog.  

For less than 20 bucks you can’t beat an evening of comedy, song and talented “unknowns”.   Final performances take place on November 16, 8 p.m.; November 17th , 3 p.m.  FSFCTG is located at 41-60 Kissena Blvd, in downtown Flushing. For tix call: 718-428-8681

LET'S HEAR IT FOR MARK LORD

Editor's note: What do you do when a longtime friend asks you to review a play and your job has you being a theatre critic?   Here is my review for a show called "Let's Hear It For Queens" written by Mark Lord who has done much directing but a first at both writing the show and the song lyrics.

Although longtime Queens resident Mark Lord is a retired English teacher, he has spent much of his time acting and directing.  What is left in the way of Community Theatre?  Writing a script for a play and in this case, one with original music to which he also wrote the lyrics.   The play, presented as part of the FSF Community Theatre Group, located at the Free Synagogue of Flushing, is titled, Let’s Hear It For Queens.

The show is all about Queens County (not drag queens or the Queen of England), its history and culture as Keiran Larkin plays a 400-year-old Antiquous, a humorous man who has seen it all and done everything.   

Todd Berkun, for instance, wrote an article some years ago about a woman named Mary Sendek, who opposed having her house, located on the corner of 54^th and Broadway in Elmhurst, bought up to make way for Macy’s.  The story was told with photos followed by a song called “At The Corner”; music by Joe Ferrante, lyrics by Mark Lord.

Let’s Hear It For Queens would be characterized as a “revue” vs a play as there is no plot.  At many times a group of actors would enter onstage and each would recite a line or two.  At other times, they were production numbers such as: “The Queens We Mean”, “Hello!”, “Unisphere” and a finale of “Anthem”, “We Point With Pride” and “Let’s Hear It For Queens”.

Landmarks were presented as surprised guests Daniel Dromm, Melinda Katz, Curtis Sliwa, and Carl Clay were given lines to read.  It was also a chance for Melinda Katz to announce her running for Borough President and John Liu to announce being the first Asian-American to run for mayor.  

Segments would have an actor portray an anecdote of personal information contributed to the production such as having Richard Weyhausen talking about “Gay Culture in 1970s Jackson Heights” through the eyes of Councilman Daniel Dromm.

Much of the second act was devoted to celebrating the 40^th year of FSFCTG with songs from past musicals of which most were directed by Maryellen Pierce for the last 30 years.   As a song from Fiddler On The Roof was sung the front of the playbill was shown with the date of 1997.  Doing the math I realized that it was that many years ago when I had portrayed Yenta in that production.  It was this segment of the show that appeared the most polished and where the actors truly showed their talent.  Kudos goes to Richard Weyhausen, Donald Gormanly and Amanda Doris.   Larkin was a great choice having excellent acting abilities.

At most times I felt as if I were in an auditorium during “assembly” and being lectured.   The audience is asked if anyone speaks a language other than English or Spanish and called on to say a phrase in that language.  Another one is a contest at the end to see how many questions one can answer based on whether you remember what you heard in the show.   Alma mater songs were chosen as a sing-a-long to include one from Mary Louis Academy, where Pierce teaches.

For a first time author and lyricist I applaud Mark.   Two more performances: May 11^th and 12^th.  For tickets call (718) 428-8681