High-energy Can-Can kicks up
under Sacramento Music Circus tent July 21-27
Claudine (Amanda Watkins), Boris (Stephen
Berger) and Hilaire Jussac (Paul Schoeffler) in a scene from Sacramento Music
Circus' production of Can-Can playing through July 27. Photo by Steve
Kolb
In my four plus years of reviewing theatre productions,
Monday night's opening of Can-Can at the Sacramento Music Circus
left me a little perplexed as to where to start my review
My head is still spinning from the dancing, the singing, the
comedy, and the fun that this Cole Porter musical brought to the stage under the
tent.
This was the first time since 1988 that
Can-Can has graced the Music Circus stage, but the wait was well
worth it.
Set in Paris of 1893, Can-Can tells the tale
of La Mome Pistache (Dawnn Lewis), the owner of a dance hall called Bal du Paradis,
where an "immoral" dance called the Can-Can is performed and is the talk of the
town.
The high-kicking, skirt tossing dance violates the public
moral laws of the time and a newly seated judge - Aristide Forestier (Richard Muenz)
- is out to uphold the letter of the law and close the dance hall down.
As the French police are on Pistache's "list" for favors,
they never provide the evidence to shut Bal du Paradis' doors, so the judge takes it
upon himself to visit the dance hall and collect the evidence himself.
The only problem is, he finds himself falling for the
strong-willed owner of the dance hall, sending both of them down a comedic road to
disaster. Can-Can is both fast-paced and funny and
keeps the audience involved with its high-energy dancing, great singing and interaction
between the characters.
The sub-characters in the production often outshine the
leads - especially one of the dancers - Claudine (Amanda Watkins), her jealous artist
boyfriend Boris (Stephen Berger), and art critic Hilaire Jussac (Paul Schoeffler).
Boris is a little-talent sculptor, who can't stand to see
Claudine even talking to other men. But he must set aside his jealousy when Paris'
leading art critic Hilaire Jussac starts wooing the lovely Can-Can dancer. Claudine,
who will do anything for her Boris, talks Jussac into helping Boris' career - but, of
course, nothing turns out as they planned. Can-Can is a real pleasure to watch. It's
fast-paced, but not so much so that it leaves you behind. Muenz and Lewis are
excellent in the leads. Music Circus fans will remember Muenz from last season as he
played Capt. von Trapp opposite Susan Egan in The Sound of Music.
This was Lewis' first experience under the tent, but she is no stranger to the stage
with rolls in such productions as The Tap Dance Kid and How
to Succeed in Business..., as well as numerous TV rolls.
Watkins, Berger and Schoeffler all have Broadway credits
under their collective belts and make their Music Circus debuts in
Can-Can. Watkins recently appeared in the Broadway production of
Grease! as Marty, and has toured nationally in that show as well as
Oklahoma! and Grand Hotel.
Berger's Broadway credits include Laughter on the
23rd Floor and Little Me, while Schoeffler appeared in
Cyrano and Victor/Victoria, as well as touring nationally
as Javert in Les Miserables. Can-Can will be performed at the Music
Circus tent through July 27, with performances through Saturday, July
26, at 8 p.m., and Sunday, July 27, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available for all
performances at the Music Circus box office, 1419 H Street, Sacramento, or by calling
(916) 557-1999 or BASS Tickets at (916) 923-BASS. Tickets range in price from
$20-$38.
