All Alice White (Jessica Kent) wants is to find a good man to marry. Instead, she gets a creepy marriage proposal from Victor Van Rooper (Joseph Eastburn), a saloon owner with a questionable reputation, who offers to save the orphanage if Alice takes his offer.
The revival of this musical, originally produced by the Rep Group more than 40 years ago, is an excitingly crafted production with a creative way to allow audience participation. The story, which might seem like a devastating drama, turns into an epic melodrama where even death is fun to watch.
Orphans in dire need, a saloon troupe lead by a villain, and even a preacher are some of the odd characters that turn Alice’s world upside down. There’s also a character that appears to be the hero, Jack (Tack Sappington), who has the money to save the orphanage. But just as Alice contemplates the possibility of a happy life with him, Jack loses the money to a card game with Victor, and after a few drinks, falls prey to the evil ways of seductive vixen Carlotta (Kristin Towers Rowles), a performer with the troupe. The next morning, broke and regretful for betraying Alice, Jack becomes a pathetic image of utter defeat, with a blistering hangover, to add insult to injury. A hero no more. Virtuous Alice is then left to the whims of sinister Victor, with the risk of losing the orphanage as well.
At this point, the story becomes a race against time. Will Rose (Janet Wood), Victor’s companion, feel pity for Alice? Can half-hero Jack become a full hero? Maybe Uncle Ned (Brad Kahn) can help. To move the story along and bring the saloon feel to the stage, the musical numbers add a whimsical tone to the play. The actors get a chance to shine with their voices and dance moves. Likewise, Director Stan Mazin gets creative with the special effects. The snow might give you chills, the beer might get you thirsty, and watch out for the incoming train. Also pay attention to Uncle Ned’s speed, you blink and you might miss him.
Mazin combines the creative elements effectively to present an appealing musical that is fun and lively. The cast is an amalgam of seasoned performers and newcomers. Once again, Joseph Eastburn graces the stage with his magnificent performance. He is a thespian with rich qualities and a valuable asset for the Group Rep. His comedy verging on sinisterness and vice versa is something you need to experience live to fully appreciate it. Also impressive is the sizzling Kristin Towers Rowles in her role of Carlotta Valdez, a Spaniard femme fatale who endangers the happiness of the hero and heroine.
Mazin also introduces new faces: The orphans Arden Shia, Scarlett Strauss, Jackson Bethel, and Hannah Sun offer solid performances; a new generation of thespians in the making. Experiencing this musical with its melodramatic style is like going back in time to the 1800s, when this type of theatre was so popular. It is refreshing to see the Group Rep’s efforts to revive one of their most successful productions in their 50-year history.
The Orphans’ Revenge
Lonny Chapman Theatre – Main Stage
10900 Burbank Blvd., North Hollywood 91601
October 4 — November 10, 2024
Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00pm; Sunday Matinees at 2:00pm
Tickets: thegrouprep.com
Book by Suzanne Buhrer and Gene Casey. Music by Gene Casey, Suzanne Buhrer and Jan Casey. Directed by Stan Mazin. Music direction by Andy Howe. Produced for The Group Rep by Linda Alznauer.
Cast: Sean Babcock, Jackson Bethel, George Bufford, Joseph Eastburn, Lareen Faye, Brad Kahn, Jessica Kent, Hisato Masuyama, Casey Murray, Tack Sappington, Rob Schaumann,
Kyra Schwartz, Arden Shia, Suzan Solomon, Abigail Stewart, Melissa Strauss, Scarlett Strauss, Hannah Sun, Kristin Towers Rowles, and Janet Wood.
Creative team: Mareli Mitchel-Shields (Set Design), Shon LeBlanc (Costume Design), Frank McKown (Lighting Design), Nick Foran (Sound Design).
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