BWW Reviews: The Academy of Performing Arts' SWEET CHARITY

When I sit down to write a review of a show I've recently seen, I am more often than not tempted to write about the profound storyline of that show, or perhaps the added depth a playwright might add to his plot to make it rather abstract and therefore open to mass interpretation by audiences. I confess that I am drawn to dramatic stories that usually whose characters usually have a lesson to learn towards their respective ends. In saying this, watching The Academy of Performing Arts' production of Sweet Charity can be described as a rarity - not only in terms of its plot, but also how Director Peter Earle presented his vision of this musical to a Cape Cod audience. It is simple and innocent (a word used fairly often to describe the title character), and to keep that simplicity of heart in a character that is perpetually bursting with energy and spirit, who is profound in her own right and becomes her own inextinguishable falling star, is as difficult to put on stage as it is riveting for audiences to behold.

If you haven't before visited the Playhouse, there isn't a better time to do so and experience yet another repertoire of beautifully presented shows that have been performed over the years. From last year's successful productions Cabaret and Les Miserables (to name a few) to the exciting shows lined up for the theater's 2015-2016 season, The theater itself is a rather unique blackbox with seats surrounding the stage on three sides, allowing the audience to delve right into any given performance by being forever next to the action on stage. It is a homely place to be, and what better way to welcome the community! It is also one of the best spots on the Cape (in my opinion) to look up at the star-filled night sky and just gaze until the lights go off in the theater and you're forced to go home.

With a book by Neil Simon, music by Cy Coleman and lyrics by Dorothy Fields, Earle (who is also the group's Producing Artistic Director) leads a cast of only thirteen towards to bring audiences Sweet Charity, the tale of Ms. Charity Hope Valentine whose gift (debatably a curse) for hope is one that rivals what it presented in Fitzgerald's Gatsby; fortunately, Charity doesn't harbor her love to the point of obsession! Instead, our title character is obsessed with life and the good fortune (what she calls the "fickle finger of fate") that will inevitably come her way, regardless of whether it is rational only to her and not those around her.

A club hostess by way of profession, she and her co-workers dream of getting out and becoming more than they have at present; after a very understandable heartbreak, according to the ever hopeful Charity, her engagement which recently fell through (you'll get that pun soon) may only lead her on her next adventure. Throughout the course of the musical, Charity must keep her undying sense of hope, her ability to recuperate after every metaphorical (at times literal) blow she takes, and the admirable attitude she must maintain throughout the good times and bad on a constant level - a level comparable to the height of a mountain. Through these times does her character shine, and never does she allow any warnings or possibilities of what "might not be" deter her from feeling and experiencing; life is a surprise to Charity, and what better way to live than unscripted - as if each day is a tabula rasa?

Charity is played by Chloe Brumfield, and Brumfield is truly a triumph in this production. She absolutely and tirelessly exudes positive energy, and does so without appearing to get the least bit tired or lose track of who her character is. It is truly amazing to watch how that simplicity of being and lighthearted soulfulness of Charity Hope Valentine springs to life as Brumfield encounters each new circumstance in her life with open arms and a relentless smile that simultaneously creates a predictable approach towards but completely random result of what she is faced with.

This is especially true when she meets the handsome Oscar Lindquist. Kevin Quill is supposed to swoop in and save the day, but instead Oscar is introduced as the poor claustrophobic guy with whom Charity has the rather good fortune of being stuck in an elevator. As if Brumfield's energy wasn't enough, Quill goes through emotional turmoil while simultaneously falling in love with our heroine (literally...she gets him through the whole ordeal) - something that is not easy to do, to watch happen, for that matter. He is able to navigate from terrified adult man to groovy churchgoer to a cool and collected man confident in his ability to be himself because of the feelings Charity stirs within him. Towards the end of the show, there is a completely different character on that stage, wildly distinguishable from the Oscar trapped in that elevator (although his breakdown is honestly one of my favorite parts of the show). Without revealing too much, he makes Oscar an expert on how to maneuver through and around his feelings pretty, pretty well.

A shoutout must go to the rest of the cast, as everyone is brilliant! From Charity's group of skeptical friends (Victoria Howell, Katherine Petitt-Quigley, Ellen Birmingham, Marsha Kangas, Susanna Creel, Marybeth Dull and Alex Welch), to the fighting couple that suddenly makes up while Charity hides in a closet (the aforementioned Ellen Birmingham and Geof Newton), and finally to the really awesome Daddy Brubeck (Jeremy Racine) and Marvin (Julio Daley), this cast really made the show the success it is! The story and accompanying music (with direction by Chris Morris, who rocked as Musical Director) together strive to tell a simple story that really takes the audience on one hell of an adventure, and without a cast that keeps that element of surprise and randomness fresh during each performance is a difficult feat, but Earle has done it!

If you are like me and crave a plot that makes you think, go and see this show It is not difficult to understand, nor is it something that needs to be pondered or carefully considered. It is a show that needs to be felt, and to know that something will befall our native protagonist at any moment keeps both her and everyone around her on their feet throughout the show's duration. Sweet Charity really is sweet, and all will agree that sometimes taking that leap of faith and just being "you" throughout it all is an adventure that need not be destined to occur.

Sweet Charity opened on June 18th, and will continue performances thru July 18th. The performance schedule is Tuesdays thru Sunday @ 8:00 at the Academy of Performing Arts, located at 120 Main Street in Orleans, MA. Tickets are $24 and may be purchased by either calling the box office at (508).255.1963, or by visiting www.apacape.org. After this production, APA will be presenting Man of La Mancha, so be sure to mark your calendars for that as well.

Enjoy the show!

Photo Credit: Rebecca Newton/Reflections Cape Cod Photography

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