BWW Reviews: TRICK BOXING Romances Summer Fun at Third Avenue Playhouse

Cross, hook, jab and uppercut---know anything about boxing? Sturgeon Bay's Third Avenue Playhouse imports Sossy Merchanics in a Stage Door Theatre Company performance billed Trick Boxing this August. While audience members need to know nothing about boxing to throughly enjoy the high energy production, the team of Brian Sostek and Megan McClellan pairs in the nostalgic 1940's fictional tale of boxer Dancing Danny David and how he acquired the "knockout of his life."

Being a sucker for strong woman with a punch to their performances, Megan McClellan plays the sassy woman whose brother and boyfriend box to make their living. A trick to do when Buck the promoter of the fights tries to set each of them up for a fall at championship matches to increase his take on the bets, his big money. When McClellan plays the beautiful Bella Doro, she immediately takes action through her dancing. intelligence and quick wits while hopeing to give her brother and her boyfriend another chance to live their lives after these matches.

Playing opposite McClellan, Sostek shines in multiple roles: Buck, the promoter, Tony, another boxing shark, Rocky Doro, Bella's brother, and the main character and Bella's boyfriend, Dancing Danny David. Danny David was discovered by Buck when on the streets selling apples, someone who's going to be crowned a champion in only three weeks. Together, Sostek and McClellan deliver their warm working relationship developed over several years to each of these characters on stage.

With the storytelling delivered in flashback, Trick Boxing's engaging format invites Sostek to speak to the audience directly, while the couple delight in their various parings throughout the performance. Most notably when Bella meets David and teaches him to dance during the evenings after his boxing practices at the gym. Displaying choreography that leads to spectacular swaying on the stage, the tale harkens to the timeless musical dancing in Singin In the Rain..with its classic numbers "You Were Meant for Me," and the film's pairing, adding hints of the romance the film sang about in "You are My Lucky Star, " that revives a bit of contemporary television's "Dancing with the Stars." In between the entertaining dance numbers, Sostek narrates the story and those important boxing matches in the production using puppets, inventive performance moments touched with humor.

Boxing, dancing, witty plays by plays, puppets and falling in love come together on stage to completely romance any audience. A great evening of summer fun for Door County while providing an opportunity to see this gifted and multi-talented team, Sostek and McClellan, a couple that has garnered praise across the country. Learn a thing or two about boxing and reminisce when dancing involved lifting. touching and swinging each other. Step into TAP's championship theater ring to cheer Trick Boxing, an enchanting performance for any age, charming and clever theatre perfect for August in the peninsula.

Third Avenue Playhouse presents Sossy Mechanics in Trick Boxing at the Stage Door Theatre Company through August 24. For information or tickets, please call: 920.743.1760.

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