Life Could Be A Dream
Did you see the Marvelous Wonderettes, that wonderful, delightful musical by Roger Bean? I know you had to love it! Now you are in luck because you can see a spin-off that fabulous musical (now playing off-Broadway and in many cities throughout the good ole’ USA). This time it’s the boys who will keep you enchanted by their superb talent and a “cute” plot that takes place in the 60’s, in Springfield, home of the “Crooning Crabcakes” in Life Could Be A Dream by Roger Bean playing at the Hudson Mainstage in Hollywood.
Denny (Daniel Tatar) has escaped (from his mother’s taunting) to the basement rathskeller in his home (a wonderful set design by Tom Buderwitz). However, there is no real escape as long as the intercom is on! Denny is having a difficult time “finding himself,” or for that matter, finding a job. At last he “finds himself” while listening to the local radio station (Big Whopper Radio) when he learns that he and his friend Eugene (Jim Holdridge) have an opportunity to form a singing group to enter and win the radio station’s contest that offers fame and fortune to the winners. They draft their best friend Wally (Ryan Castellino) to form a trio, but then discover they need a sponsor. They decide to look to the owner of the local auto shop who sends his lovely daughter Lois (Jessica Keenan Wynn) to “audition” the boys to see if his $50 will be worth spending.
Though Lois likes what she hears, she is convinced that the way to go is with a quartet. Coincidentally, the good-looking auto mechanic from her father’s auto shop drops by, and Denny asks him if he can sing! Wouldn’t you know it, Skip (Doug Carpenter) answers “a little” but proves he can do much more. The new quartet begins their arduous practicing and the audience is blessed with hearing four of the best voices, arrangements, harmonizing and singing from the entire cast. Some of the wonderful music you will hear is A Sunday Kind of Love, I Only Have Eyes For You, Unchained Melody, The Great Pretender, The Glory of Love, and of course, Shaboom (Life Could Be A Dream), to name a few. Fortunately, each cast member is given a chance to be in the spotlight, and deservedly so. As Lois attends all of the practices for support, each of the boys finds himself smitten with her, but it is Skip who seems to be the boy of her choosing. Because her father considers Skip beneath his daughter, he decides to quit his job and leave town. What will happen to the boys’ chance to win fame and fortune in the contest? How will Lois cope with losing Skip? Find all of the answers in this fantastic musical that you won’t want to miss.
After all, it is a musical; therefore, Jessica Keenan Wynn (granddaughter of the late Keenan Wynn) also gets her moments to sing, and what a beautiful voice she has. She is also charming as the only female in the cast. Carpenter trained as an opera singer, has a magnificent voice and is magnetic as Skip. Holdridge is hilarious as the “geek” of the group, Tatar and Castellino expertly portray Denny and Wally. David Engel is the radio voice of Ronnie “Bulls-Eye” Miller. Music arrangements are by Roger Bean and Jon Newton with additional arrangements by Steve Parsons. The musical direction is by Michael Paternostro, choreography by Lee Martino and the show is directed by Roger Bean. Continues through Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009. Highly recommended.
Hudson Mainstage Theatre
6539 Santa Monica Blvd.
Hollywood, CA
Tickets: (323) 960-4412
Online: www.lifecouldbeadream.net
DUE TO POPULAR DEMAND, THIS PRODUCTION HAS BEEN EXTENDED THROUGH SUNDAY, JANUARY 31, 2010