Liberty Inn
Everyone loves Mirandolina (Deborah May), the owner of the Liberty Inn, in Liberty Inn: the Musical, the production by the Andak Stage Company playing at the New Place Studio Theatre in North Hollywood. This full-length musical comedy was adapted from the Italian Carlo Goldoni’s La Locandiera (“The Landlady) by Dakin Matthews (book and lyrics) and B. T. Ryback (music).
In this production the time is 1787, the place, (moved to) Liberty Inn in Liberty NY. Mirandolina’s faithful servant (Faber (Bill Mendieta) is hopelessly in love with her (She’s Everything You’d Want in a Woman). But at the same time, the wealthy Count (John Combs) tries to win her with his wealth and the Marquis (John DeMita) hasn’t any more to offer her but his “protection.” As each man vies for her adoration, Mirandolina rebuffs their entreaties while reveling in her “liberty.” Even so, Mirandolina thinks there is no man whose love she cannot conquer. When the Captain (Norman Snow) arrives at the Inn and she discovers that he despises women, she sets out to prove that she can win over any man. With her wily ways, she eventually breaks him down and he acquiesces to her ruse. But in the end, when she decides to lose her “liberty,” is it to the Captain, the wealthy Count, the Marquis or Faber? The Captain’s Aide (Mark Doerr) and the flirtatious actress Sofia (Charlotte DeGregorio who has a lovely voice) round out the talented cast directed by Anne McNaughton. The voices by the entire cast were pleasant.
Matthews and Ryback have written twenty original and cleverly worded songs that create this story told in operetta style, although at times, it was rather banal. It also is exceptionally long and perhaps would benefit by being cut by as much as 30 minutes.
Liberty Inn: The Musical
NewPlace Studio Theatre
10950 Peach Grove Street
North Hollywood, CA
Fridays and Saturdays, 8 p.m.
Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m.
Closes Sunday, April 25, 2010
Tickets: (866) 811-4111 or www.Andak.org