“Little Mary Sunshine” Well Rounded Show

By Cathy Craig

All the elements for Summer Theater in the Park’s best production of the season were apparent in Thursday night’s opening of the musical “Little Mary Sunshine.” Acting, singing, dancing, costumes, set and props were excellent in a beautifully cast show.

Book, music and lyrics for the musical were written by Rick Besoyan as a parody of the Jeanette MacDonald-Nelson Eddy operetta.

Director Dick Willis understands Besoyan’s intent completely and has inserted all the exaggeration necessary to create a spoof of the romantic, melodramatic form without overdoing.

From the opening when Greg Easter as Chief Brown Bear steps forward with an “Ugh!” while forest rangers march whistling and singing of their courage into the yard of the Colorado Inn, it is clear the show is well under way.

The perils of leading-lady Mary Sunshine unfold while haughty young ladies of Eastchester Finishing School meet and fall in love with leading-man Captain “Big” Jim Warrington’s ranger compatriots.

Opera, not to be denied, is represented by the retired opera star Madame Ernestine Von liebedich, with General Oscar Fairfax of Philadelphia her eventual match.

The musical is made complete with the classic comical couple of the not-too-bright Corporal “Billy” Jester and maid of questionable reputation Nancy Twinkle.

Without overplaying, each member of the cast captures the parody and comedy of his or her character, creating a well-balanced performance.

Darlene Druley’s Little Mary is an eyelash batting, curl-adjusting, fluttering “shy miss” – the perfect heroine of melodrama. Her full, clear soprano voice provides real operatic ability for the spoof.

Phil Gray’s Captain Jim is an erect, deep-voiced, unmoved soul, the epitome of an heroic ranger. But importantly, Gray allows Jim to show the emotions of nervousness and ineptness in his comical proposal to Mary. Gray has a fine singing voice though memory slips plagued his final number with Druley.

Becky Imel is a superb Nancy . Portraying a maid, flirtatious and slightly uncouth, Imel sings well and dances and acts with consistent energy and humor. Her “Mata Hari” number was one of the best received by the audience.

Mike Fleming is an innocent, earnest and eager Billy. Fleming’s voice is strained at times when he sings, but his dancing and acting are sound.

Patricia Allen turns in a fine performance of a graceful Madame Ernestine. A solid background of opera training is revealed in her singing and in Ernestine’s German dialect.

Chris Barr is a delightfully lecherous “Uncle” Oscar. He maintains an even interpretation of a character part easy to overdo, and does a very credible job of singing.

Easter, who has the timing of a comedian, gives a hilarious portrayal of the “Kadota” chief. Darrell Osborne is a humorously decrepit Fleetfoot and Tim Webb is good as the melodramatically sinister Yellow Feather.

Chorus members, both men and women, are genuine assets to the production as well.

Members within the ladies’ quintet convey personalities of their own without sacrificing the effect of a bevy of slightly snobbish, easily tempted young girls. Janis Morton as the too proper Cora is a perfect mother hen.

Their five forest ranger fiancées to be have been on the trail just long enough to be an eager group of suitors.

Both men and women dance well and the choreography by Dick Willis is interesting, varied and thoroughly entertaining.

Choral and vocal work under the direction of Della Mae Tronchuk is well done. Particularly enjoyable of the musical numbers were men’s chorus on “The Forest Ranger,” Mary and Jim’s duet “Colorado Love Call,” Mary and the rangers’ “Look for a Sky of Blue,” women’s chorus on “Playing Croquet,” and combined men and womens choruses on “Such a Merry Party.”

Costumes being designed by Vickie Willis deserve being singled out for praise. Dresses for the ladies were styled beautifully according to character and era. Details of cuffs, collars, boots, hats, and buttons made ranger outfits appear very close to the real thing. Even Indian garb was detailed.

Lacking was the pace needed to make last night’ performance totally successful, a problem easy to rectify in a show that revealed some of the best thought-out and executed work of the season.

“Little Mary Sunshine” will be performed again tonight at 8 o’clock . Tickets are available at the door.