BWW Reviews: Citilites Closes 2011 Season with Delightful Production of BABY

Even though three couples are the focus of Richard Maltby (lyrics), David Shire (music) and Sybille Pearson's (book) musical called Baby, there's a very good reason the title is singular and not plural. I mention that only to let you know that the play, as charming and engaging as it is, has some moments of drama present as well. This production by Citilites Theatre is nicely done, with a well cast group of couples, and splendid direction by Nick Moramarco, who also did the musical direction and accompanies the group on piano.

Three women all find themselves at the Dr.'s office on the same day, and all three are told they're expecting. Lizzie is a college junior who's not really in the best financial position to handle the situation, while the athletic Pam has been trying to conceive for some time, and Arlene is over forty and was finally looking forward to enjoying and empty nest. But, nothing works according to plan, and while Lizzie does bring her baby to term, Pam's pregnancy is false, the result of a mistake by the doctor's office, and Arlene later has a miscarriage. In all three cases, the pregnancies also focus on the men in each of their lives. Danny, a music major who just changed from a science major, is excited for Lizzie, but first thinks they should get married, even though Lizzie thinks that notion is decidedly old fashioned, at least, at first. When Nick visits the Dr.'s office with Pam he finds out that his sperm has low motility and this requires some work on the couples part if they're ever going to conceive. Alan is overjoyed at the prospect of bringing another life into their large home, but Arlene isn't so sure.

Caroline Kidwell and Devon Norris make a cute couple as the lovestruck Lizzie and Danny, and their story is probably the most compelling and engaging. Certainly their duet, “What Could Be Better”, is among the catchiest of all the songs in the show. Pam and Nick are nicely essayed by Sabra Sellers and Peter Merideth, who struggle to maintain their sense of humor when the methods required to conceive tax their patience, physically and mentally. I can sort of identify with Janice Lea Codispoti and Robert Breig who play Arlene and Alan, respectively, since my wife and I were older than your average couple when we had our son, but their relationship seems the most contrived in terms of the story.

Alice Kinsella, Lauren Berkowitz and Paul Edwards are very good as the Greek chorus who fill out the sound musically, while also filling out the other roles that are needed to tell the story. Edwards is especially amusing as a Dr. trying out contacts for the first time while he attempts to fill in Pam and Nick on their particular issue.

Nick Moramarco does fine work on what I'm told is his first directorial gig, and he's aided by Belinda Quimby's choreography, which squeezes the entire cast together surprisingly well on the Gaslight Theatre's small stage. Alexandra Scibetta Quigley's costumes are good fits for each of the characters, and Nick and GP Hunsaker's movable set pieces make the most of the space. Steven Miller's lighting is fairly straightforward, but illuminates the action properly. Anthony Wininger and John Love make a nice contribution on percussion and guitar, respectively.

Though, this was the final production for this season for Citilites Theatre for 2011, they've impressed enough to warrant paying strict attention to their upcoming slate for 2012.

Photo credit: Michael C. Daft

 

 

 

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