BWW Reviews: THE BOY FRIEND is the Best Friend Around
Today women go to college to get their MRS degree, but apparently, back in the day, the youthful elite traveled to the south of France for school, and with great hopes of finding the perfect boyfriend. Such is the setting for 42nd Street Moon's latest production, "The Boy Friend," a delightful romp through the sunny beaches and high societies of 1920's Nice. It's nicer in Nice, but it's just as lovely at the Eureka Theatre in San Francisco, where director and choreographer Cindy Goldfield offers the most creative dancing and staging for the most adorable characters currently on stage.
Leading lady Polly Browne (Jennifer Mitchell) and her small group of friends are like the three little maids in "The Mikado," overly excited about men and fashion. Andrea St. Clair, Khalia Davis, Melissa Reinertson and Barbara Pond play off each other's dramatic sensibilities incredibly well as they discuss what they will wear and the identity of Polly's mystery date for a masked ball. When the boyfriends show up for the fun, 42nd Street Moon treats its audience to fantastic numbers including "Won't You Charleston With Me?" and beach ball paradise "Sur la Plage."
Side plots include St. Clair's flirtation with Brandon Dahlquist as Bobby Van Husen, as well as a rekindled romance between Polly's father (Paul Myrvold) and the head of her school for ladies, Madame Dubonnet (Stephanie Prentice in a last minute, but perfect replacement for Maureen McVerry). Prentice sings a beautiful duet with Mitchell in the show's second act. The entire show bursts with talent, though, from operatic to ballad. Mitchell's voice is crisp and clear, a stunning match for the boyfriend, Nathaniel Rothrock as Tony. Mitchell and Rothrock have wonderful chemistry, making their love easy to believe, even when the two have only known each other for a short moment. Both are children of rich parents and choose to conceal their wealth from each other. Such circumstances have natural consequences that make for a fabulous evening of theatre.
Sandy Wilson's upbeat show has found its way to numerous school productions, including one that director Goldfield performed in. The infamous Julie Andrews got her start with a successful 1954 Broadway production, which several of Sunday's audience members were fortunate enough to see. Happily, fortune favors the Bay Area through November 16 with a charming, not-to-miss production of "The Boy Friend."
THE BOY FRIEND
42nd Street Moon
http://42ndstmoon.org/
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