The Odd Couple
Hysterically funny! Neil Simon's Female Version!.
Kelowna Actors Studio
KELOWNA ACTORS STUDIO
1379 Ellis Street,Kelowna BC V1Y 1Z9
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"There Is Nothin' Like A Dame"
20/07/11 Review | Gord Vizzutti
photo by Glenna Turnbull
Posted By: Gord gvizzutti@astral.com · 7/19/2011 7:39:00 PM
I took in Kelowna Actors Studio production of South Pacific the other night.
Amazingly good. I don't know why this uber-talented group refers to itself as amateur. They are consumate professionals and it shines through in every line, every stanza and every lighting cue in this latest effort.
At first blush some might want to dismiss this outright as another sappy Rogers and Hammerstein musical but keep in mind the weighty themes: racism, interracial marriage and cultural prejudice...Pretty heady stuff considering it was written in 1949.
More impressive still; it was written by and for Americans at a time when racism was an accepted part of everyday life. If I told you one of the characters pays for his misplaced beliefs with his life, well that would be giving too much away.
This is Broadway at its best: Entertaining musical escapism for those who only want to go that far - Inspiring vehicle that challenges social norms for the rest of us. Sadly, there is a realization that the lessons taught in 1949 have fallen on deaf ears for many of us.
Make no mistake, you will be entertained with a brilliant evening of song and outstanding choreography.
Gwen Plitt as Ensign Nellie Forbush: Kelowna's own delicious diva doubles as musical director and is worthy of a Tony award or two.
Rick Worrall as Emile De Becque: A singing voice that resonates from his toes to the upper balcony. Bravo!
One of the best performances of the evening is turned in by Mark Sorestad playing the devious and womanizing Luther Billis. Sorestad is hilarious and truly makes this role his own!
The musical is one of the most successful Broadway productions of all time and there's no reason to think it won't enjoy similar success in Kelowna.
Tickets will be hard to come by but try your best. You won't be disappointed.