BWW Reviews: Winter Park Playhouse's SHOUT! A MOD MUSICAL Swings into the 60's

As this Summer's Throwback pick for BroadwayWorld's Summer Stages - Orlando, Winter Park Playhouse brings back SHOUT! THE MOD MUSICAL. Rocking the songs, styling and culture of the 1960's in London, SHOUT promises to bring back fond memories for the forty and up crowd.

SHOUT! tells a loose story of five nameless ladies who are known by their color: Orange is a reluctant housewife; Blue is a young lady trying to figure out what makes her happy; Green is addicted to sex; Yellow is an American obsessed with Paul McCartney; and Red is a frumpy girl who is just trying to fit in. Together the ladies live their lives trying to figure out love and life while the world is changing. The troupe exudes girl power as conservative views fall out of style and social taboos relax.

Given the decade of the 1960's, the costumes are bright and reflect the mod style. The Beatles are a sensation, and being a housewife is the ideal goal for women. The ladies get their advice from a magazine column that seems more concerned with selling than dispensing actual advice. The plot is held together by some hit songs made famous in the 60's including, "To Sir With Love," "Son of a Preacher Man," "Diamonds are Forever," "Downtown," and many more.

All fives ladies a great singers though sometimes the British accent is lost during songs. The dancing is fun and exudes the era of change. Executive Director of The Winter Park Playhouse, Heather Alexander, plays the Orange girl. While her relationship is tragic, her character truly finds her purpose. Natalie Cordone plays the curious Blue girl. Cordone has some of the ballads and quite the belting voice.

Sarah-Lee Dobbs plays the sultry Green girl. Her sexual fervor is unstoppable and provides a lot of laughs for the audience. Jill Vanderoef as the Yellow girl plays a funny American whose obsession with Paul McCartney is essential for teens in the 1960s. Vanderoef also has some great songs including the title song "Shout!" Finally, the Red girl, played by Kate Zaloumes is just trying to fit in. She is the most-progressive character and does not let the advice of the silly magazine deter her.

Overall the production does well to bring back the culture and feelings of the changing times. Directed & Choreographed by Roy Alan, SHOUT! The Mod Musical runs at The Winter Park Playhouse runs now through June 29 & July 15- 19th. For tickets and more information visit www.winterparkplayhouse.org.

Photo credit: Taylor Gore/ The Winter Park Playhouse

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