ON CT & NY THEATRE

By Marlene S. Gaylinn CT Critics Circle / ctcritics.org SOUTH PACIFIC Summer Theatre of New Canaan, CT Under the all-weather tent at Waveny Park, New Canaan, you can sit comfortably and enjoy nature and cool, hill top breezes while watching a wonderful production of South Pacific. This is summer theatre at its finest. And, no wonder -- its Summer Theatre of New Canaans (STONC) 10th successful season under Melody Libonatis Artistic Direction. Her family team, which has accumulated numerous nominations for awards by Connecticut Critics circle, continues to present the most entertaining, summer productions in our area. This season, daughter, Allegra Libonati directs South Pacific which is headed by some magnificent, professional voices accompanied by a 10-piece orchestra, confidently conducted by David Hancock Turner. If you havent seen this Rogers and Hammersteins musical by now, you must have been isolated somewhere since birth. To refresh your mind, the musical takes place on a remote island in the South Pacific during World War II. Its a boring, military base that saw little action -- except for one strategic maneuver at the end of the show. The heavy, tropical atmosphere here is happily lightened up by the appearances of Luther Billis (Nick Reynolds) a rough and tumble sailor, and Bloody Mary (Janelle Robinson) an aggressive islander who sells grass skirts and shrunken human heads. A smart operator, she also wants to marry her daughter to handsome officer, Lt. Joe Cable (Jason Evans). Reynolds confident stage presence, ease with timing, and tattooed body language gains this eccentric, fun-loving guy our complete attention, while Robinsons July/2013 stunning singing and expressive, reinterpretation of her role is an equal delight. However, our main attention, is immediately placed on two pairs of sweethearts who are torn apart by the racial prejudices of that period. Nellie (Tiffan Borelli), a nurse at the base, is attracted to plantation owner Emile De Becque (Daniel Klein) until she discovers that he has two, bi-racial children (cute kids played by Christian Camporin and Neha Lyer) from an island native, and recalls her Southern upbringing. Lt. Joe Cable (Jason Evans) love for a native girl, is similarly stunted because his strict, white culture will also not accept a mixed marriage. Evans is a handsome, muscular guy with sexy mannerisms and a voice to match. His sweetheart, played by dainty, Kim Wong, pantomimed her part nicely but did not sing at all. Klein is a good actor and has a rich, operatic voice. As De Becque, he certainly mesmerizes the audience in Some Enchanted Evening and This Nearly Was Mine. His co star Borellies performance was slightly uneven. She can act tenderly and has a very pleasant voice that compliments Kleins, however, her overall posture and dance movements need more definition and forcefulness. Never the less, many people in the audience thoroughly enjoyed her performance and could not refrain from shaking their heads and clapping in time to the number Honey Bun. The nurses, sailors and island girls were fine and the choreography by Doug Shankman was appropriate and enjoyable. Plays to July 13 Free parking Inquire about gourmet picnic delivery - 203-966-4634 Grease,directed by Melody Libonati (she appeared the original Bway production) follows on July 20 August 11

THE SOUND OF MUSIC Westchester Bway Theatre, Elmsford, NY The Sound of Music is so popular that it has developed a cult following. Some audiences arrive at movie theatres in Austrian costumes or nuns garb for singing participation and contests. Yet, other folks have seen Julie Andrews commercials so often that they feel like running far away from them thar hills that are alive with the sound of music. People! Get over it! If you continue to be negatively influenced by the musicals commercialism, you will miss out on one of the most enjoyable live performances ever featured at Westchester Broadway Theatre (WBT). So, good luck finding a sprig of artificial edelweiss to wear in your lapel (none grow here) but dont expect to see a costumed audience at WBT. Your focus will be solely on a live cast of excellent, professional performers who will inspire you with delightful melodies throughout the entire show. This musical, based on an autobiography written by Maria von Trapp, is about her failed attempts to be a nun, her successful job as a governess to a large family of children, her eventual marriage into this wealthy, musical family headed by a strict, Austrian, Naval Captain, and their escape to America from Nazi occupied Austria in 1938. The music is by Richard Rodgers with lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II. The original, Broadway show featured Mary Martin as Maria and Theodore Bikel as the Captain, and won several Tony Awards. It was made into a film starring Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer, and it too won several Academy Awards. At WBT Aubrey Sinn brings her own, sweet interpretation to the role of Maria. Her silvery voice coordinates nicely with the rich tones of Matthew Shepard, who plays Captain Georg von Trapp. Karen Murphy, the inspiring Mother Abbess, gives all her energy to Climb Every Mountain and Melinda Tanner is the proper Frau Schmidt, the familys household manager.

Of course there is the usual gaggle of cute kids headed by Molly Emerson as Leisl. How can you miss with Do-RE-Mi, The Lonely Goatherd and My Favorite Things. A particular favorite is the tender, Edelweiss, which is wistfully sung by the whole family. Unfortunately, it was also the last song Hammerstein put words to. Special credit should be given to Loren Shaw, Mary Stein and Pamela Cummings for the coordinated childrens costumes, and to the musical director, Leo Carusone and his live orchestra. This dinner theatre includes various menu choices -- served tableside. Parking is free. Plays to August 11 Tickets: 914-592-2222