By Ryan Broderick, Editor-at-Large
The University's production of "On The Town" was an odd one. Directed by James J. Kolb and starring Colgan McNeil, Kaitlin Rose, Chris Balestriere, Alexandra Laks, Steven Spera and Gina Ventura, "On The Town" featured a strong sense of energy powered by a tight ensemble, accompanying band and vibrant set.
"On The Town," with music by Leonard Bernstein and a book and lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green, is set in 1940's New York City and follows three sailors on day's shore leave, looking for love in the big city and all the shenanigans they get into along the way.
While this has nothing to do with the University's production, it should be known that "On The Town" is a very strange play. It features a bombastic score, thick irony, almost psychedelic camp and one of the more disjointed plots to be applied to a musical format.
That being said, the production was for the most part strong and entertaining. Right from the first scene the set design (by David Henderson) was incredible, combing ‘50s pop-art, small touches of ‘60s psychedelia and Tex Avery cartoons. It was possibly the most impressive thing about "On The Town."
As for the performances, it's rare that a production's ensemble is what you notice the most, but the scenes where the stage was full of actors meticulously weaving about were easily the most enjoyable. The momentum dipped when scenes featured solely the leads.
Of the leads though, Ventura as a sultry (and horny) taxi driver, Hildy, stole every single scene she was in. She had easily the best voice, the most confidant delivery and above all, she was exciting to watch.
It might have been because of the night (I sat in on the dress rehearsal), but the three male leads, McNeil, Balestriere and Spera seemed to struggle to find their voice. By the end, though, the six main characters were bouncing along with each other perfectly well.
The weakest piece of "On The Town" was the choreography (by Theresa Perez). The long, strange and experimental (in the bad sense) dance sequences not only segmented the play in a strange way, they expanded its already lengthy plot to a whopping three-hour or so running time.
It's unclear if the problems lie in the actor's ability to dance or Perez's instruction. Either way, as Kolb's inventive inventive and exciting blocking transitioned into dance, everything became very boring and very pointless.
But regardless of a few spotty performances and a dragging middle, it's definitely inventive, and it's certainly refreshing to see college drama take a few risks. If this is where the University's actors cut their teeth, then it's only right they experiment and it's even better when they experiment well.
Chip (Steve Spera, Left) gets more than he bargained for in the big city when he meets Hildy (Gina Ventura, Right). (Caity Gilvary/ The Chronicle)