BWW Reviews: 'Life Could Be A Dream' Charms at Laguna Playhouse

It's safe to say that Roger Bean-the mind behind The Andrews Brothers, The Marvelous Wonderettes and its yuletide sequel Winter Wonderettes-has certainly become the most consistently successful purveyor of full-scale theatrical musicals that weave a simple story around a string of early to mid-20th Century pop hits. His latest of such offerings is LIFE COULD BE A DREAM, the crowd-pleasing jukebox musical that debuted last year at the Hudson Theatre in Hollywood and is now performing an eight-week engagement at the Laguna Playhouse through August 29. The original production garnered the L.A. Drama Critics Circle Award and Backstage's 2010 Garland Award for Best Production.

Nostalgia wrapped in charm and familiarity is a Roger Bean musical's raison d'etre, and in this 1960-set stage show, we get plenty of both. Directed by Bean himself, the show's story-a slightly more complex plot than the Wonderettes shows-takes place entirely within a span of a week in the authentically kitsch-decorated basement of Denny (Daniel Tatar), a young man with huge dreams of stardom, but is without a steady paycheck (a recurring fact we are reminded about by Denny's unseen mother via intercom). Denny was once a member of the Crooning Crabcakes, the musical group that was banned from performing at small town Springfield's local high school prom (the same prom that the Wonderettes stepped in to perform for as the Crabcakes' last-minute replacement).

After hearing about a radio contest for the best local singing groups, Denny convinces his former fellow crooners to reunite for one more shot at fame (and, hopefully, fortune). Besides Denny, the newly formed boy group now called "The Dreamers" consists of the smart but socially awkward Eugene (scene-stealer Jim Holdridge), the reliable Minister's son Wally (Ryan Castellino), and the newly-recruited brooding mechanic Skip (Doug Carpenter). Feeling that they need all the help they can get, they also enlist the assistance of Lois (Jessica KeeNan Wynn), the daughter of the owner of the local car repair garage. Originally sent to critique the group on whether it was worthy of the garage's sponsorship in the contest, she soon coaches the men better dance moves and better ways to deal with the female of the species. While Eugene, Wally (somewhat), and Denny all have affections for Lois, it is actually the handsome diamond-in-the-rough Skip that has won her heart, much to the disdain of her father. Will the group pull it together in time to win the contest with all this inner drama taking over? Suffice it to say, it's not that hard to come to the right conclusion.

The hit songs are, as expected, the familiar draws for the show. Classics like the title song, "Stay (Just A Little Bit Longer)," "Runaround Sue," "Tears On My Pillow," "Unchained Melody," "Earth Angel," "The Glory of Love," "Duke of Earl," and "Lonely Teardrops" are intertwined to match plot points in the story, which, somewhat unlike the Wonderettes' use of the classic pop catalog, is a departure that allows for story context to primarily dictate the songs being sung by the characters. Instead of the Wonderettes' arbitrary (albeit fun) unloading of song-after-song as part of a concert setting, the songs used in LIFE COULD BE A DREAM extend the characters' situations and feelings as a musical punctuation to the predictable yet easily digestible story. There are a lot of cute-sy, old-fashioned, 50's sitcom-like traits in the show, which here are often used go-to devices that mine the audience for easy laughs-but the laughs do come, nonetheless.

In a smart move, the five original cast members from the popular L.A. world premiere have all returned to reprise their same roles in the Laguna Playhouse production. Each actor turns in a fine performance that balances humor, glimpses of inner pathos and terrific singing with equal concentration. Once again, the endearing Holdridge turns in a noteworthy performance, a wonderful addition to his equally amazing turn as Tobias in Musical Theatre West's excellent production of Sweeney Todd. The smoldering Carpenter continues his brooding skills once more here as he did as Lancelot in the final Pasadena Playhouse production Camelot. I predict an exciting future for this excellent, strong vocalist. While it would have been preferable to feature more stage-time for the boys-in a show blatantly marketed as a boy-centric Wonderettes-Wynn provides a nice female contrast with her beautiful voice and ethereal stage presence. Lead Dreamer Tatar (who also serves as the show's dance captain) and sideline player Castellino are also quite good. Though his acting seems a bit too affected at times, Castellino, in particular, does an overall great job of giving his character a few noticeable less-masculine mannerisms that hint at a richer backstory (visions of Sal Mineo dance in Wally's head, perhaps).

All in all, the commendable LIFE COULD BE A DREAM is a nice, sweetly confectionary musical that's chock-full of enjoyable, familiar tunes from yesteryear, performed by a quintet of great singer-actors. In the high heat of summertime, nostalgia-hungry patrons roaming the Festival of Arts in Laguna Beach will have one more reason (aside from the annual Pageant of the Masters) to stick around the area for some good, old-fashioned fun.

Score: 8 / 10

Photos from the Laguna Playhouse production of LIFE COULD BE A DREAM by Ed Krieger.
Top: Ryan Castellino, Daniel Tatar, Jim Holdridge & Doug Carpenter.
Center: Jim Holdridge, Ryan Castellino, Doug Carpenter & Daniel Tatar.
Bottom: Jim Holdridge, Jessica KeeNan Wynn & Daniel Tatar.

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The Laguna Playhouse production of LIFE COULD BE A DREAM is written and directed by Roger Bean, with choreography by Lee Martino, musical direction by Michael Paternostro, costume design by Shon LeBlanc, and scenic design by Tom Buderwitz. Musical arrangements are by Roger Bean and Jon Newton, with additional musical arrangements provided by Steve Parsons. The cast includes Doug Carpenter, Ryan Castellino, Jim Holdridge, Daniel Tatar and Jessica KeeNan Wynn.

Performances continue through August 29. Start times for each performance are Tuesday – Saturday evenings at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2:00 p.m.; Thursday matinees (except July 15) at 2:00 p.m.; and Sunday evening July 18 at 7:30 p.m. The Laguna Playhouse is located at 606 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, California.

For more information or to purchase tickets, call 949-497-ARTS (2787) or visit www.LagunaPlayhouse.com. 

Because Laguna Beach is a popular destination during the summer months, The Laguna Playhouse strongly encourages theatre patrons who are driving to the theatre to allow plenty of extra time for parking. Paid parking is located across the street in a municipal parking lot; metered parking is available throughout the city. For a nominal fee, patrons may opt to park at the ACT V parking lot, located a mile from the theatre, up Laguna Canyon Road, with a free trolley service that runs from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. For more information, contact the Laguna Beach Visitors and Conference Bureau at  949-497-9229.

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