Don’t Cry; Do “D Word- A Musical”
By Skip Sheffield
“D Word- A Musical,” which has opened at the Rinker Theatre
of Kravis Center in West Palm Beach
for a run through Nov. 10, is not really a musical, but a musical revue of
catchy songs on the themes of being “Ditched, Dumped, Divorced and Dating.”
Linders and director/choreographer Mayme Paul have cast four
women representing distinct types representing women in their 20s, 30s, 40s and
50s.
“D Word” has been honed with previous runs in Orlando and Las
Vegas . This experience shows in the precise vocal
performances of four solo-quality voices performing in perfect harmony to
recorded tracks a set of 14 mostly familiar songs about the flip side of
romantic bliss. Unlike “Menopause,” which had parody lyrics to popular songs,
the songs have their original lyrics. What is new is biographical information
and dialogue from the characters.
The setting is a 6-minute speed-dating event. Erica (Angie
McKnight) hasn’t gotten lucky in 14 years. DeeDee (Maddie Castro) is in the
dumps after the breakup of her 20-year marriage. Kate (Laura Wright) feels her
biological clock ticking. She just wants a “sperm donor.” Jen (Sarah Hester
Ross) is trying to rise above the humiliation of losing her fiancé of six years
to another guy.
The mood is set with the Gloria Gaynor anthem, “I Will
Survive.”
After the one-off original “Single Ladies” we go back to the
1950s doo-wop of Lieber & Stoller’s “Fools Fall in Love” and even farther
back to “Just a Gigolo.” Greatest hits such as The Miracles’ “Shop Around,” “The
Way of Love” and Kelly Clarkson’s “Stronger” (What Doesn’t Kill You) get new
renditions as the ladies drink, talk, cry a little, fight a little and
reconcile.
Although this is an ensemble, you will probably have a
favorite chanteuse. It seems unfair to single anyone out, but DeeDee Castro is
the comic sparkplug as “Your Booty Parlor Babe,” who glories in her first date
in years with “Hot Stuff” and bounds into the audience with “Before He Cheats.”
Less than a musical; more than a revue, “D Word” is pure fun
in 90 minutes without an intermission.
Tickets start at $39. Call 800-572-8471 or go to www.kravis.org.
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