Here are three musical love stories, so if you don’t like one
there is always the next to warm your heart. First a middle-aged couple meet
after 20 years and realize they were soul-mates and have wasted their lives but,
since they have spouses and children, its not exactly a love match we want to
applaud.
The next play is an alarming
picture of two sweet women left brain-dead by a freak accident, but somehow they
manage to be up and dancing while their grieving loved ones try to come to
terms with their loss, especially when a medical expert recommends pulling the
plug.
Last is a winsome tale of a divorced elderly couple, grandpa and grandma,
both suffering from extreme forgetfulness, who happily find each other in their
new reality.
Outstanding in multiple roles are Lloyd Pedersen, heartbreaking as the
husband called upon to dispatch his comatose wife, then utterly adorable as nutty
old dad reconnecting with his ex-wife; and Michele Bernath, poignant as a concerned
dead mother, then amusing as a daft old lady.
The rest of the fine cast are
Janet Wood, Paul Cady, Andrew Curtis Stark, Renee Gorsey, Debi Tinsley, Elijah
Tomlinson, Kathleen Chen, Lauren Peterson and Amy Gillette. All sing with
clarity and bright energy.
Book & co-lyricist Doug Haverty, music and co-lyricist Adryan Russ.
Director Kay Cole keeps the actors moving to the beat. Special plaudits to Richard
Berent, musical director and arranger who also amazes as a one-man orchestra.
Lonny Chapman Theatre,
10900 Burbank Blvd, NoHo, through June 28. Tickets: (818) 763-5990 or www.thegrouprep.com.
Photos by Doug
Engalla
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