42nd Street (Review)

42nd Street (Review) 42nd Street's dancin' feet
are best yet under MC tent
Reviewed by Joe Blenkle/Sacramento Stage & Theatre

Julian Marsh (Patrick Quinn) invites Peggy Sawyer (Holly Bosil) to "listen to the lullaby of Broadway" in a scene from the Music Circus production of 42ND STREET, Aug. 9-15.

    In almost a yearly tradition, Music Circus seem to build over its seven-show schedule to a monumental conclusion that leaves the crowd in awe and wishing the season lasted longer.

    If this trend holds true, audiences are in for a treat the last two shows of the season - CAROUSEL and A CHORUS LINE - because this week's production of 42ND STREET is going to be hard to top!

    Monday's opening night was a fabulous display of dancing, costumes and comedy and treated the Sacramento audience to what may have been one of the most talented casts ever to set foot on the Music Circus stage.

    To put it simply, the dancing was electric and yet another Music Circus newcomer dazzled the crowd with a talented display of singing and tap dancing.

    Holly Bosil takes on the role of Peggy Sawyer, a girl from Allentown, PA, who has traveled to New York hoping for her big break in show business. She's terrified at the prospect and arrives late for her audition for a new musical called "Pretty Lady," but after an impromptu dance session with some of the girls, the director of the show, Julian Marsh (Patrick Quinn), adds her to the dance line.

Alyson Reed

    The star of the show, Dorothy Brock (Alyson Reed), takes an immediate dislike to the new girl and when opening night finally rolls around, Dorothy and Peggy collide, literally, and Dorothy goes down with a broken ankle and is out of the show.

    At the urging of the entire cast, however, Peggy steps in to save the day, accepting the lead roll. But now she must learn 25 pages of script, six songs and 10 dance routines in only 36 hours before the show reopens in New York.

    Bosil, who has played the role of Peggy Sawyer before, was terrific as the young dancer who must learn to have confidence in herself despite her inexperience. Holly received a Drama-Logue Award in 1995 for her performance as Peggy in Los Angeles and was in the European tour of 42ND STREET in 1996 and 1997. She's an incredibly talented tapper and won the crowd over early in the "Gypsy Tea Kettle" scene in "Go Into Your Dance."

CAST OF "42ND STREET" Andy Lee - Jennifer Cody; Maggie Jones - Carol Swarbrick; Bert Barry - Bobby Clark; Annie - Cathy Susan Pyles; Billy Lawlor - John Scherer; Peggy Sawyer - Holly Bosil; Phyllis - Trina Simon-O'Steen; Lorraine - Megan Sikora; Julian Marsh - Patrick Quinn; Dorothy Brock - Alyson Reed; Abner Dillon - Zale Kessler; Pat Denning - Bill Bishop; Thugs - Aaron Douglas Smith and Richard Bulda. Ensemble: Danny Bergold, Richard Bulda, E. Clayton Cornelious, Jennifer Foote, Karen LaMarche, Amber Owens, Megan Sikora, Trina Simon-O'Steen, aaron Douglas Smith, Todd Bradley Smith, Valerie Jane Smith, Christopher Windom.

    Something clicked (besides the tapping) with this cast. It's really difficult to focus in on individuals when 42ND STREET was such a team effort. Everyone worked together perfectly in very complex dance numbers and the audience was treated to a spectacle that will be hard to top in the final two shows of the season.

    Alyson Reed plays a convincing Dorothy Brock - a star past her prime, but still in command of the show. Her "Shadow Waltz," an out-of-step dance number using rear-projected lighting on draped fabric hanging down on all sides of the stage set the tone of the production early on - hilarious!!!

    She's a Tony-nominated actress for her role of Sally Bowles in the Broadway production of CABARET and has had numerous roles on TV, including CHICAGO HOPE, JAG and PARTY OF FIVE. It's always a pleasure to see an actress of her quality grace the stage under the tent.

    Jennifer Cody, who played Julian Marsh's dance captain Andy Lee - and who has appeared in two other productions this summer (WEST SIDE STORY and BYE, BYE BIRDIE) - continues to delight the Music Circus audiences. She's a lot of fun to watch in this production as she runs the dancers through their steps and gets a chance to do some fancy footwork herself.

    Carol Swarbrick as Maggie Jones (she co-wrote "Pretty Lady") and Patrick Quinn's Julian Marsh (the director) were entertaining as well on the MC stage. Swarbrick played the role on Broadway and actually got her professional start years ago at Music Circus. Quinn played Uncle Max in SOUND OF MUSIC on Broadway and has also had leading roles on Broadway in DAMN YANKEES and BEAUTY AND THE BEAST.

    42ND STREET performs in the Music Circus tent on the corner of 15th and H Streets through August 15, Monday through Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 7:30 p.m. Tickets range in price from $23-$40. For ticket information call (916) 557-1999 or visit the Music Circus box office at 1419 H Street.
    Next up for the Music Circus is CAROUSEL (Aug. 16-22), starring George Merrick and Lauri Landry.

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