BWW Reviews: THE ROAR OF THE GREASEPAINT - THE SMELL OF THE CROWD Provides Solid Showcase for Budding Star Medlock!

The Roar of the Greasepaint- The Smell of the Crowd/by Leslie Bricusse & Anthony Newley/directed by Bonnie Hellman / The Eclectic Company Theatre /thru November 23, 2014

Children's Theatre Group of Southern California bravely mounts The Roar of the Greasepaint- The Smell of the Crowd at the show's 50th anniversary. The original 1964 musical opened in Nottingham, England as cutting edge social commentary on the divides between the rich and the poor. Though those and other issues (racism and homophobia) introduced still prevail in 2014, this production as directed by Bonnie Hellman doesn't hold up in relevancy. As now presented, Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley's book simply marks time between their timeless songs as the majority of the action revolves around the playing and replaying, and further replaying of the undefined Game that Sir always wins at over Cocky. Sir makes up the rules as his whims dictates. Fortunately for the audience, Greasepaint's best and most recognizable songs ("Who Can I Turn To?" "The Joker") receive strong vocal performances, backed by fully-realized acting from the charismatic Alec Medlock as Cocky, the put-upon fop to Sir's puppetmaster role. Others seizing their opportunities for their vocal talents to shine include Marc Antonio Pitchett as The Stranger soloing in "Feeling Good," and Caitlin Gallogly as The Girl in her gorgeously duet with Medlock in "My First Love Song."

Sean Smith succeeds in his unsympathetic caricature portrayal of the pompous, self-absorbed Sir. So successful in his unlikeable nature, Smith's solo in "Reprise: Who Can I Turn To?" draws no empathy for his character.

Greasepaint serves as an incredible showcase for Medlock as his limber moves and animated reactions steal focus from almost all others on stage. Especially affecting, his appropriately sweet facial expressions to Sir and Company singing to him "Look at That Face." Actually, Medlock seems to be the only actor on stage with any meaningful reactions to the lines being spouted while others proficiently mug and laugh on cue. Medlock's reminiscent of the charming, lanky Michael Crawford in Hello, Dolly (before he transformed into the sexy, dangerous Michael Crawford in The Phantom of the Opera).

The Urchins (Lola Michelle Brown, Tess Cooley, Alexa Druyanoff, Langdon Janos, and Vera Wheatley) handle vocal back-ups and Kay Cole's cute choreography pretty well for youngsters. Others onstage include Liam Daniels and Phil Biedron.

Emily Cohn provides able assist as musical director and piano accompaniment.

www.eclecticcompanytheatre.org