Come On, Get Happy with “Dames at Sea”
By Skip Sheffield
“Dames at Sea” is probably the lightest, silliest, most-clichéd
Broadway musical ever.
Thereby lies its unsubtle charm. See “Dames at Sea” through May 31 at
the Wick Theatre in Boca Raton and you’ll see what I mean.
“Dames at Sea” was created in 1966 as a deliberate parody of
over-the-top 1930s Busby Berkeley musicals. It was written by George Hamilton and
Robin Miller, with music by Jim Wise. It became a vehicle for unknown ingénue
Bernadette Peters when the actress originally cast dropped out. In an
art-versus-life scenario, both Bernadette and the show were a hit. Bernadette
Peters is now a Broadway icon. “Dames at Sea” has become a staple of theater
companies across the country as it is a very simple show with a cast of just six
(plus band) and minimal set requirements.
This puts the burden on the performers. For the Wick
production director Michael Ursua has found a Bernadette Peters sound-alike for
the role of Ruby, a Utah innocent freshly off the bus from Utah.
Pretty Lindsay Bethea has a high-pitched, girlish Betty Boop kind
of voice that suits her star-struck ingénue.
Likewise Alex Jorth has the suitable gee-whiz naivety for
his role of Navy sailor Richard, or Dick as everyone calls him.
Like the characters created by Dick Powell and Ruby Keeler, Dick
and Ruby are made for each other, but Dick is not immune to the overpowering
charms of Broadway star Mona Kent (Laura Hodos), who not only wants Dick for
herself; she wants Rudy booted from the chorus line of the namesake show “Dames
at Sea,” which could be Ruby’s launching shot for stardom. Hodos has the
requisite rafter-shaking belt voice, which underscores the force of Mona.
Other stereotypical characters are fellow seaman Lucky
(Blake Speliacy) who has a thing for Ruby’s gal pal, hoofer Joan (Alison
McCartan).
The adult authority figures of producer-director Hennesey
and the ship Captain are played by Gabriel Zenone, a newcomer with impressive
theater and television credentials.
The songs themselves are clichés, parodying the shallow show
tunes of the 1930s, but they are sung earnestly and accompanied beautifully by
an onstage band led by pianist Caryl Fantel. If you are a sucker for
tap-dancing as I am, you’ll love the routines choreographed by Angela Morando.
If you want to come on, get happy, “Dames at Sea” is a
lightweight treat for you.
Tickets are $58-$62. Call 561-995-2333 or go to www.thewick.org.
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