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A CurtainUp Los Angeles Review
Liberty Inn: The Musical
| Being a woman is good for business!
— Mirandolina
|
John Gault and Charlotte DiGregorio!
(Photo: John Demita) |
Deborah May stars as the beauteous Mirandolina, who loves to torment the stiff-necked misogynist Hessian Captain played with virile venom by Norman Snow. Sniffing around Mirandolina are the Count (John Combs) and the Marquis (John DeMita) — the Count pudgy, dignified and dripping with diamond gifts and the Marquis perennially broke and standing on his pride ("I offer you the protection of my name!")— So is her faithful servant, young Faber (Bill Mendieta).
Matthews injects a few contemporary lines into his script but they’re not painfully anachronistic. Goldoni transfers nicely to Revolutionary-era New York. Mirandolina makes a delicious heroine who, when all is said and done, chooses the young servant, Faber, over the older suitors. The Captain, whom Mirandolina beguiles into falling in love for the first time, is, of course, outraged by her defection. Naturally, his Aide is very happy and moons about it in a ballad, displaying pleasing singing pipes.
A late-comer is the so-called Countess Sofia (Charlotte DiGregorio), a lusty young lady who flirts outrageously with all the men under the tolerant eyes of Mirandolina. She has a fine voice and a wicked sense of humor. Sofia and the Count have one of the loveliest ballads "Together." She also has a humorous solo "Wiesbaden," aimed (without avail) at seducing the Captain.
The impeccable set is changed by Faber and the Captain’s Aide (Mark Doerr) in choreographed perfection. Dean Cameron, who designed the set, also did the costumes, particularly outdoing himself in the Revolutionary War uniforms.
Ryback plays his own score with dashing brilliance, including an overture and scintillating arpeggios. May and Snow have outstanding voices, with Combs and Mendieta a pleasing middle range. DeMita smirks over what he doesn’t project.
Anne McNaughton directs with a never-failing sense of glee.
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Liberty Inn: The Musical Book and Lyrics by Dakin Matthews with Music by B. T. Ryback Director: Anne McNaughton Cast: Bill Mendieta (Faber), John Combs (Count), John DeMita (Marquis), Norman Snow (Captain), Deborah May (Mirandolina), Mark Doerr (Aide), Charlotte DiGregorio (Sofia). Musical Direction: B. T. Ryback Sets and Costumes: Dean Cameron Lights: Peter Strauss Assistant Set Designer: David McNaughton Stage Manager: Chelsea Bardellini Running Time: Two hours with one intermission Running Dates: March 13-April 25, 2010. Where: New Place Studio Theatre, 10950 Peach Grove Street, North Hollywood. Reservations: (866) 811-4111. Reviewed on March 13 by Laura Hitchcock. |
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Musical Numbers
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Act One
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Act Two
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