West Side Story

Dear Inaginary Friends,

Which of the above three people are convincing gang members? If you guessed none of the above, I am inclined to agree with you!

In Signature Theater's new production of West Side Story, the casting requires a real suspension of disbelief by theater goers. 

Not only do the gang members seem less than threatening (much less murderous, ) they are dressed like preppies! Take the example of Tony, a main gang character. He has a sweet baby face and wears khakis, yet we are expected to see him as dangerous. I can picture him in an Eagle Scout ceremony. 

Other than that, the ambitious production with a full orchestra and  30 actors soars with fabulous music by Leonard Bernstein, lyrics by Steven Sondheim and choreography by Jerome Robbins. Credentials like that cannot be surpassed in the theater world. 

My favorite songs are Tonight, Maria, I Feel Pretty, America, and Somewhere. 

The most sizzle is found in the performance of Anita, although she appears to be ten years older than the part calls for. 

All in all, younger, tougher-looking actors would help the play achieve the verisimilitude it lacks. 

So says me. Clothing and costumes are also incongruous. 

Signature's "Cabaret" was a better production with far more convincing performances. 

Your Imaginary Theater Goer,

Patsie

The Fix at Signature: Timely

Dear Theater Lovers,

The Fix is an extremely cynical musical take on American politics in the sixties and seventies. It is loosely reminiscent of the political shenanigans of the Kennedy dynasty. 

Signature has mounted a great set with a portico resembling the White House, which sets the stage for some highly graphic sex scenes. A scandal-plagued political dynasty is sputtering along, when the younger generation is suddenly expected to take on the mantle, when Daddy has a heart attack during sex with his mistress. 

The Mafia, Machiavellian Mama, and impressively athletic dancing by the lead, "Cal Chandler" keep the story going. The singing, acting and dancing are always stellar at Signature.

 Is this a typical storyline for musicals, i.e., boy meets girl? Oh, no! But in this stewpot of boiling political scandals that we call Washington, DC, it certainly is apropos.

Your imaginary friend,

Patsie

Kid Victory at Signature

Dear Imaginary Friends.

Kid Victory, now playing at Signature Theater, is an odd combination of disparate elements. 

First, it is a musical. But it is a musical about a pedophile who kidnaps, rapes and beats an underage teenage boy. 

Yes, it is a musical. 

It tackles the themes of faith, homosexuality, anonymous sexual dating sites, Vikings, lawns ( yes, I said lawns), and families dealing with teenage angst. 

I personally felt very uncomfortable watching the pedophile kidnapper singing about his "love" for his victim. 

One has a hard time not squirming with mortification. Yet, there are some positives. The actors all deliver stellar performances, especially the main character, who totally nails teenage boy angst. His face is a map of his thoughts. 

Signature Theater in Arlington loves to explore the occasional edgy theme, but perhaps there is a limit of good taste, that would be welcome. 

Please, no more musicals about sexual predators. 

Your imaginary theater critic,

Patsie

Gypsy!

This play is so perfectly written and scored and acted; oh, my! You have to go see it.