• Scrooge, The Musical!, December 2011
• TBA (Non-musical), February 2012
• Singin’ in the Rain, May 2012

Schedule is subject to change due to performance rights conflicts or other issues. Specific dates of performances and auditions are yet to be announced.

The Scarlet Pimpernel is a musical with book and lyrics by Nan Knighton and music by Frank Wildhorn. The time period is during the French Revolution and tells the story of an underground movement that attempts to bring peace to France by using a spy known as “The Scarlet Pimpernel.”

Tim Silk as Sir Percival Blakeney delivered a sincere performance in the musical. He was as clear as he could be and his emotions were easy to follow. Charlotte Hays portrayed his wife Marguerite as a determined sweet girl with a strong will to live. Her singing could generally be heard and her smile brought hope to all who saw her. The villain Chauvelin played by Michael had a commanding presence and a constant scowl throughout the performance. The rest of the large ensemble cast looked like they were enjoying themselves. They seemed to put a fair amount of energy into the scenes and even though they were hard to hear they appeared to be enjoying themselves. Also, be aware that some roles are double cast, so other performances may have different actors in the roles of Percival or Armand.

The orchestra sounded great, despite being shoehorned into the corner of the room. The set was fairly basic, with a few wall units serving as a patio, garden, or a French street; and a large clock along the upstage wall. A large boat was a surprise, as was the working guillotine that feaured prominently in several scenes. Robert Boumeester’s fight choreogaphy featured several sword fights which used much of the stage and part of the aisle in the house.

Although this production had some great special effects (the opening scene features Marguerite on a swing 10 feet above the stage) and a pretty enthusiastic cast of characters, other technical aspects handicapped the show. The auditorium was a middle school and with an orchestra, mics, and high ceilings you had sounds bouncing round the room and disappearing into the roof. This made the songs nearly impossible to hear and understand. Even the spoken dialogue was sometimes muddled. You may be able to hear better if you sit close to the stage. The tech crew also seemed to be in a hurry to clear the set and get the next scene ready. This caused your attention to shift from the action on stage to a scene change. There were also several scenes where cast members would exit through the house’s exits, allowing a jarring flash of light into the theatre. Exits in the house and backstage should be shielded to reduce the distraction.

Despite the technical hurdles, this is an opportunity to see a production rarely performed in the DC region. The Scarlet Pimpernel is not appropriate for most young children due to its implied and onstage violence.

Cast

• Sir Percival Blakeney: Tim Silk, Jacob Mason
• Marguerite St. Just: Charlotte Hays
• Chauvelin: Michael Hale
• Armand St. Just: Kyle Mann, Jacob Mason
• Marie Grosholz: Holly Abbe
• Ozzy: Robert Bouwmeester
• Dewhurst/Prince of Wales: Geary Younce
• Elton/Tussaud: Cliff Cummings
• Farleigh: Kyle Mann
• Hal/St. Cyr: Mark Thomas
• Ben: Ben Shulman
• Robespierre: Milan Detweiler
• Mercier: Michael Fontenot
• Coupeau: Dan Clark
• Mrs Jessup: Donna Russell
• Sentries: Jeyhan Turker, Bailey Kincaid
• Ensemble: Lisa Hale Merilee Cummings, Loralee Price, Melodie Price, Asli Necioglu, Anita Ault, Melissa Murphy, Nate Schradeer, Jessica Parone, Abby Irons, Elise Abbe, Gokce Necioglu, Amelia Abbe

Orchestra

• Piano: Mindy Coons
• Reeds: Jeannie Farnsworth
• Violin: Marie Wride
• Clarinet: Gary Shepherd
• Horn: Angelika Kirchmeyer
• Bass Trombone: Steve Ligon
• Trumpet: Dan Fairholm
• Reeds: Katherine Nieman
• Percussion: Reed Henry

Pit Singers

• Michelle Detweiler, Julia Thomas, Tim Silk, Milan Detweiler

Crew

• Producer: Merilee Cummings
• Director: Michele Reynolds
• Vocal Director: Melissa Murphy
• Instrumental Director: Warren Cordes
• Choreographer: Amanda Estep
• Costumer: Deirde Breithaupt
• Set Boss: John Karren
• Publicity: Trudi Hays
• Poster Design: Vanessa Rivera
• Box Office: Derya Turker
• Props: Anita Ault, Trina Neel
• Fight Choreographer: Robert Boumeester
• Concessions: Val Irons
• Set Design & Construction: Geary Younce, Cliff Cummings, Robert Bouwmeester, Michael Hale, Michele Reynolds, Kyle Mann, Val Irons
• Costume Construction: Trina Neel, Merile Cummings, Carol Younce, Robyn Price, Michele Reynolds, Sydney Breithaupt, Anita Ault

Disclaimer: The Pickwick Players provided two complimentary media tickets to ShowBizRadio for this review. TPP also purchased advertising on the ShowBizRadio.net web site, which did not influence this review.

• The Wizard of Oz, October – November 2010 Schedule
• Sweet Songs Soiree, Winter 2011
• The Scarlet Pimpernel, April – May 2011

Schedule is subject to change due to performance rights conflicts or other issues.

• Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, November 2009
• Chocolate Christmas Carols, December 2009
• Kiss Me Kate, April 2010

Schedule is subject to change due to performance rights conflicts or other issues.

This is the Showbiz Radio review of Crazy For You, performed by Pickwick Players in Sterling, Virginia. We saw the performance on Saturday afternoon, May 9th. Unfortunately, we got lost on the way to the theater, so we missed the first 15 minutes of the show.

Crazy For You is a musical with music by George & Ira Gershwin and book by Ken Ludwig. Crazy for You revolves around Bobby Child and his dream of being a member of the Zangler Follies. His banker job takes him to Deadrock, Nevada where he falls in love and decides to put on a show as a fundraiser to save the town’s theater.

The Crazy for You cast was very energetic, with lots of large dance numbers. The acting and singing were hampered by technical problems. This production met at a middle school with a large auditorium. The stage was crowded at times, but well distributed with action happening all around, even on the floor in front of the stage. Christopher Tedrow‘s Bobby Child had a lot of dance numbers, which he performed well and with enthusiasm. Child’s love interest, the careworn Polly Baker, was played ably by Amanda Estep.

Unfortunately some of the technical aspects of the show were disappointing. The sound was really unpredictable, as actors would start speaking and then the microphone would be turned on. Teaching the actors to project their voices during non-singing portions of the show would be a huge improvement. The lighting was uneven, with most of the apron not lit at all. It would help if a spotlight were used to illuminate actors when they were downstage. These design decisions were a bit distracting, however they did not dampen the overall mood of the show. The orchestra, led by Stephan Knobloch, did not overpower the singers.

Crazy For You ran two hours and a half hours with one intermission. It is playing for one more weekend, Friday at 7:30PM, and Saturday at 2:00 and 7:30PM at River Bend Middle School in Sterling, Virginia.

Once you’ve seen Crazy For You please share your thoughts about it. We’d also like to invite you to join our free mailing list so you can stay informed with theater happenings in the DC region.

And now on with the show.

Cast

• Bobby Child: Christopher Tedrow
• Polly Baker: Amanda Estep
• Bella Zangler: Mark Thomas
• Irene Roth: Amanda Lipon
• Lank Hawkins: Andrew Curtin or Tim Silk
• Everett Baker: Jack Tenshaw
• Lottie Child: Michelle Detweiler
• Eugene Fodor: Sam McCrea
• Patricia Fodor: Jessica Mohr
• Tess: Charlotte Hays
• Patsy: Katie Ferrante
• Mitzi: Jennifer Anderson
• Perkins: Courtney Coombs
• Chauffeur: Maggie Panetta
• Bank Associates: Natalie Martell, Alison Lewis
• Follies Girls:
  • Elaine: Lauren Hedrick
  • Susie: Holly Wolking
  • Perkins: Courtney Combs
  • Sheila: Sarah Freeman
  • Louise: Abigail Wolking
  • Margie: Abby Middleton
  • Betsy: Christine Detweiler, Michelle Detweiler
• Cowboys:
  • Jimmy: Andrew Russell
  • Custus: Court Thomas
  • Junior: Reid Scholz
  • Wyatt: Andrew McShea
  • Moose: Michael Knoblach
  • Billy: James Russell
  • Pete: Matt Frederickson
• Ensemble: Laura Detweiler, Amy Freeman, Kathryn Detweiler, Alison Lewis, Maggie Panetta, Natalie Martell
• Children Tappers: Katherine Knobloch, Tabitha Clear, Jordan Williams, Brice Walker

Crew

• Producers: Trina Neel, Merilee Cummings
• Director: Michele Reynolds
• Asst. Director: Mark Thomas
• Choreographer: Tara Nicole Bunkall
• Asst. Choreographer: Amanda Estep
• Musical Director: Stephan Knobloch
• Lights: Andrew Curtin, Grace Offerman
• Sound: Kevin Cason, Trudi Hays, Trina Neel
• Stage Manager: Melinda Cummings
• Stage Crew: Nicole Shaw, Kerry Smith, Heather Cummings, Carly Vanness
• Costumes: Michelle Karren
• Publicity: Polly Middleton, Rick Ferrante, Karen Knobloch, Maryam McShea, Kelly Volles
• Box Office: Jill York, Kathie Rowley
• Set Boss: John Karren
• Set Design and Construction: John Karren, Scott Kerr, David Middleton, Rick & Katie Ferrante, Merilee & Melinda Cummings, Courtney & Melissa Coombs, Andrew & Maryam McShea, Nicole Shaw, Brandon Peterson, Amanda Lipon, Amanda Estep

Musicians:

• Piano: Logan Keating, Pat Avery
• Flute: Jessica Reh, Irene Nagley
• Trumpet: Dan Fairholm, Warren Cordes
• Percussion: Ryan Washington, Rob Reh
• Clarinet: Gary Shepherd
• Bass: Zach Hansen