Review: SEMO's production of Neil Simon's 'Sweet Charity' succeeds

It's hard not to be impressed by the striking presence of all 50 cast members on stage during the curtain call of the new Southeast Missouri State University's musical, "Sweet Charity." The Department of Theatre and Dance has once again presented an ambitious and demanding musical, and it has once again done a wonderful job.

"Sweet Charity" is a Tony Award-winning musical from the 1960s written by Neil Simon, with music by Cy Coleman and lyrics by Dorothy Fields. Most audience members know the story from the 1969 Bob Fosse film of the same name, which starred Shirley MacLaine, Sammy Davis Jr. and Chita Rivera.

The play is about "social club dancer" Charity Hope Valentine's faith in the goodness of the human race, despite the endless disappointments it delivers. Always a bundle of energy, she never stops dreaming of finally meeting a nice young man to take her away. Interspersed throughout the story are classic musical hits "Big Spender," "If My Friends Could See Me Now," and "Rhythm Of Life."

Famous choreography

Which is all the more reason to be impressed by director Kenneth L. Stilson's ability to present a successful production; I would bet that most every person seeing the play knows the music and lyrics to all the songs. And it's a good bet they know the dance numbers, too; Stilson and choreographer Hilary Peterson fearlessly create dance numbers that were made famous by MacLaine and Rivera.

Wednesday's opening night started with its usual first-night jitters. The orchestra started the evening a bit loose, and the first scene, though well staged, seemed a bit unsure with its music cues and seemed slower than I think was intended.

By the middle of the first act, the ensemble pulled it together with an outstanding performance of "Rich Man's Frug" -- beatniks and Romans and go-go dancers, all in an intricate, funny, and well-timed performance. The good feelings lasted through the intermission and had the audience looking forward to the second act.

The performance of "Rhythm of Life" was probably the best of the evening. Desmond Gray was wonderful and commanding as the preacher Daddy Brubeck, and, again, the ensemble seemed to take absolute delight in their performance.

Likable lead

Brittany Kriger, as Charity, seemed right at home with the non-musical numbers, and her singing was sweet and fit well with her character, but her dancing seemed not to be as developed. It often looked as though Kriger was thinking hard about her dance steps and what she needed to do to complete the number. Maybe it was jitters, or that she needed a few more rehearsals to feel confident, but I would have happily accepted a few mistakes in exchange for a bit of wild abandonment.

But in the end it's always about personality, and casting Ms. Kriger for a character named Charity Hope Valentine was well made. Her likability and sweet demeanor work well, and I'm sure she'll soon "let it go" on the dance floor.

Steve E. Turner is a freelance reviewer and filmmaker. Read more of his reviews at www.picassofish.blogspot.com.