BWW Reviews: Tinder Hits All the Right Notes in Otterbein's SWEET CHARITY

In the delightful Otterbein University production of SWEET CHARITY, Charity Hope Valentine (brilliantly portrayed by Madison Tinder) has worn her heart on her shelves so many times that she has it tattooed on her arm. The heart-shaped tattoo could be an analogy of the dancehall hostess' love life. It bears the name of a man she planned to move in with, only he dumped her (literally) and left her to drown in a lake at the park after stealing her purse.

Tinder's Valentine continues to optimistically search for and occasionally finds love in the most unusual of places - at the Club Fandango, in front of a hotel with a Casanova movie star and even in a stuck elevator with a neurotic accountant. But as quickly as she finds love, it seems to slip away from her.

The Christina Kirk-directed production opened Sept. 25 and will close Oct. 4 at the Fritsche Theatre in Cowan Hall (30 S. Grove St. in Westerville).

The musical, which was nominated for nine Tony Awards when it opened on Broadway in 1966, features showstoppers "Hey Big Spender" and "If My Friends Could See Me Now." The fast paced, slickly written musical has too many twists, turns and humor to keep the show from falling into the clichéd "hooker with a heart of gold" category.

"Without love, life has no purpose," she tells self-absorbed movie star Vittorio Vidal (Jordan Donica), who uses Charity to help him recover from a temporary break-up with his true love.

"Is that what you believe?" Vidal asks.

"Sure. Everyone's gotta have some religion, don't they?" she responds.

"So your religion is love?"

"Well, I'll tell you one thing," she says with a mischievous smile. "I sure go to church a lot."

Tinder lives up to her name as she handles both the vocals and the acting nuisances of ever optimistic Valentine with compassion and grace. Her voice stands up perfectly whether it is alone or paired up with Donica, Alex Huffman (the delightfully nerdy Oscar Lindquist) or Alison Schiller and Mason Smajstrla (the street wise hostesses of Club Fandango).

However, the show would not be nearly as successful if it weren't for its strong supporting cast. Hoffman is perfectly cast as Lindquist, a phobic CPA who finds his inner strength from Valentine. As Nickie and Helene, Smajstrla and Schiller offer support as well as serving as warning signs for the buoyant Valentine. The two are joined by Courtney Dahl (Carmen), Dana Cullinane (Rosie), Lauren Kent (Suzanne), Haley Jones (Betsy), Erin Ulman (Elaine) and Monica Brown (Frenchy) as the sisterhood of Club Fandango hostesses.

Jared Howelton shows off his comedic timing whether he is in the spotlight as flamboyant leader of the Church of the Rhythm of Life Daddy Brubeck or in the backdrop as a police officer. Other strong performances include Kyle Hansen (Herman) and Melanie Sierra (Ursula March).

The performers are complemented by the lush score of an 17-piece orchestra conducted by Lori Kay Harvey.

If you just heard synopsis of SWEET CHARITY, it would seem like the show was anything but lighthearted. But the joyful interpretation by the Otterbein cast makes the show one well worth seeing again and again.

SWEET CHARITY closes this week with 8 p.m. performances on Oct. 2, 3 and 4 at Fritsche Theatre. For ticket information, please contact the Otterbein ticket office at 614-823-1109.