“Imaginary Invalid,” a Fiasco Theatre Moment of Sheer Delight.

Being sick is no laughing matter. Making yourself sick is another story. Believing what you tell yourself about the nature of your illness is well…an illness in itself, but don’t let Argon, Molière’s chief protagonist in his "Imaginary Invalid",  in on the secret.

With health care, Obama Care, Trump Care, single payer plan, no plan, and existing conditions all on the tongues of the national conversation, what better play than Molière’s “The Imaginary Invalid” could The Fiasco Players have chosen as the Globe’s current comedy to mount on the Sheryl and Harvey White Stage through July 2^nd?

Andy Grotelueschen, Jessie Austrian and Emily Young 

Argon’s obsession with his imaginary illnesses keeps the quacks, apothecaries and doctor’s pockets lined in gold for treating him for however long they can convince him that he needs them and agreeing with him on whatever he imagines his ailments are.

He keeps track how many enemas’ he’s had and how much he’s being charged, how many times his pulse is being taken and how firm his private parts are. He’s poked, probed into and examined ad nauseam. His concern about how much these visits are costing him almost outweigh any rational for his delusionary fix.   

In order to keep his parade of doctors off his personal payroll and save his fortune he insists that his daughter, Angélique marry the just out of school Dr. Thomas Diafoirus the socially repressed and rather obnoxious younger son of the senior Dr. Diafiorus, one of Argan’s physicians, so he won’t have to keep paying doctor bills.

Kevin Hafso-Koppman Noah Brody and Jane Pfitch

It would never occur to him that she would not be down with the plan. She is in love with the young and talented musician Cléante (Kevin Hafso-Koppman). This matters not to Argan and his second wife, Béline (Jessie Austrian).

Their word is final, until it’s not. Or until Tointte (Emily Young) their maid gets involved, very involved in the undoing of any plans either might have.   

Béline is more interested in Argon’s pocketbook than anything else. She pulls off a good charade by convincing Argon to send his daughter, her stepdaughter away from home and most likely his fortune. Either Angélique marries her fathers' choice or she’s off to the nunnery.

Throughout a conspiracy of ideas, people, doctors and lovers fills the stage with conflicting ideas, antics and solutions a la commedia del arte something Fiasco Theatre knows all too well.

“The Imaginary Invalid” was Molière’s the last play in which he acted. He and his wife, La Molière, played the two principals, Argan and Angélique. It was produced in France in 1673 and is just as funny and as hard hitting at hypochondriacs and the business of doctoring then as it is today.

Unfortunately, Molière was most convincing as he played out his suffering burlesque of sickness and satire only to succumb to tuberculosis at age fifty-one, after only three performances.

From L to R. Fiasco Theatre's cast: Andy Groteluechan, Jane Pfitch, Noah Brody, Kevin Hafso-Koppman, Emily Young and Paul L. Coffey

One wonders if it’s Molière’s masterpiece that draws attention, even though it’s fun, funny, relevant, oft times slapstick and delicious, or that Fiasco Theatre deserves a second look with a more appreciative eye especially by yours truly.

Some might recall Fiasco Theatre Company’s bare bones production of Stephen Sondheim’s “Into The Woods” in 2014. It was a stripped down, reimaging revision that, looking back, was not to this reviewers taste.

Now they are back at the request of artistic director Barry Edelstein with a world premiere commissioned piece that takes Molière’s ‘Invalid’ to the max.

Without too many diversions from the original text, but with some excellent fellowship and showmanship this production hums with flawless acting, music, and song and dance. 

With a variety of instruments, musical interludes are performed with violin, cello, guitar, tambourine, kazoo and a brief trumpet selection played by Jane Pfitsch. Excellent ensemble work and point on comic timing all highlight the versatility and reputation of this much -praised group.

Fiasco Theatre founders Jessie Austrian, Noah Brody direct the production with a sure hand. Ben Steinfeld, who is musical director created the original music for the show, and yes they also sing. 

All are graduates of Brown University in Providence, R.I. / Trinity Repertory Company MFA program in acting and are still hanging together to form an ensemble company worthy of high praises.

 The sum of the parts is what makes the total of this ensemble so awesome and flawless. Andy Grotelueschen’s Argon is the perfect foil for just about everyone in his orbit. He blunders, stumbles, roars and dictates to his, oft times ignoring household. He’s a marvel at the business of being sick.

Emily Young plays Toinette with gusto and timing not seen since the fast change artists in say, “29 Steps”. Her quick character change from maid to alt doctor almost defies what we see as she jettisons back and forth between characters on opposite sides of the house.

The same can be said about Noah Brody and Paul L. Coffey each playing dual or in Coffey three roles,  (Argon’s brother Béralde, the senior Dr. Diafiorus and Mister Purgon, another physician. He also excels at the cello.

Local actor Kevin Hafso-Koppman has the luck of the draw as the talented musician (he plays several instruments including guitar, and mandolin) Cléante who woos Angélique, a stunning, funny and impressive trumpet and violin playing Jane Pfitch.

Hafso-Koppman’s timing fits in well with the company’s own level comic timing as he presents himself as the swooning lover to Angélique’s overly yet cautious love for this outsider.

Andy Grotelueschen and Jane Pfitch

Janet Pfitch and Jessie Austrian are ideal in the roles of stepmother and stepdaughter; one a conniving money grubber after her husband’s fortune, the other an obedient daughter willing to give up her worldly goods and love interest to accommodate her father’s wishes. Both shine in their competing roles.

Emily Rebholz designed the perfect outfits for each personality. I especially couldn’t help but stare at Ms., Austrian’s very pink shoes glittering with rhinestones. They define her character to a T especially during Argan’s nightmare/dream.  

Melanie Chen’s sound design works well in the more intimate round space. Takeshi Kata’s simple set provides for a few surprises, and works fine in the round as well and Russell H. Champa’s spot on lighting design.

Last year Culture Clash’s Herbert Siguenza penned a new play, “Manifest Destinitis” based on Moliere’s 17^th century “Imaginary Invalid”, tweaking it a bit and centering the action in the 1800’s Mexico.

It was a hoot and a howl with Siguenza as Toinett. It also brought with it an entire political sandstorm of the raping of the country to our south.

It appears there is no end in sight for Moliere’s play, in any form; to be entertaining audiences whether set in 17^th century France, 19^th century Mexico or, who knows?

Both visions bring out an over the top humor and slightly skewered conversation about doctors in particular and medicine in general that in reflection resembles much of what’s happening today, imagined or in real time.   

See you at the theatre.

Dates: Through July 2nd

Organization:  The Old Globe Theatre

Phone: 619.234.5623

Production Type: Comedy

Where: 1363 Old Globe Way, Balboa Park

Ticket Prices: Start at $29.00

Web: theoldglobe.org

Venue: Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre

Photo: Jim Cox

A Blast from the past, “Damn Yankees” makes a return to San Diego after a twenty + year hiatus.

Those damn Yankees! That was the rallying cry of so many of us Boston Red Sox fans. In those days the frustration of having to lose so many games to team just about 100 +miles to the south was more than we could bear.

While we were still carrying the curse of the Bambino on our shoulders, Boston managed to win American League championships in spite of it all. But while we were winning, the Yankees were slowly building their team to become one of the most successful in the American League.  

The rivalry was taken very seriously by both sets of fans. With so many detractors both in the American and National Leagues, why not write a book, a musical about fantasizing a win? Any win with any team will do.

In 1993 George Abbott was 106 when he came to The Old Globe to watch his “Damn Yankees” in a new revival directed by Jack O’Brien before moving on to the Great White Way.

Abbott and Douglass Wallop wrote the book and Richard Adler and Jerry Ross wrote the lyrics and music for “Damn Yankees”. Both Adler and Abbott were in the audience at The Globe’s opening. The place was abuzz. To my recollection, Abbott was said to have loved the production.

The musical comedy “Damn Yankees” based on Douglass Wallop’s novel “The Year The Yankees Lost The Pennant” opened on Broadway in 1955. The story takes us on a whirlwind tour when another set of fans in Washington DC are up against the Yankees in a face off to carry the pennant home. 

Let’s face it folks, what’s not to love about the Yankees losing the World Series pennant to the then Washington Senators? And with Adler and Ross’ score that includes “Heart”, “Shoeless Joe from Hannibal, Mo”, “Whatever Lola Wants”, “Who’s Got The Pain”, and “Two Lost Souls” plus, plus a variety of other tunes tailored for the show it was a natural ‘out of the park homerun’ then for our home team at the Globe. It starred Victor Garber as Applegate and Bebe Neuwirth as the siren Lola.  

Steve Gunderson and Tracy Ray Reynolds

Middle -aged Joe Boyd (a convincing Steve Gunderson) can hardly contain himself, (“Six Months Out of Every Year) he’s so upset watching his hometown team, The Washington Senators, get trounced by The New York Yankees that he would be willing to do anything to be able to set the clock back and play for the Senators. His team needed a win.

Somewhere out in the night some someone, a Mr. Applegate (Neil Dale) AKA The Devil, approaches Joe and makes an offer Joe can’t resist.

Neil Dale and Steve Gunderson

He will give Joe an opportunity to play on the hometown team as a younger version of himself and possibly become the slugger Joe thinks is needed to save his Senators, but there will be a price to be paid. He has to leave without saying goodbye to his wife Meg and probably never return. In other words he just vanishes into the night with his glove and an old pair of cleats. (“Goodbye Old Girl”)

It’s a twist on the Faust story with one caveat; Joe establishes an escape clause that allows him to return to his beloved wife Meg (a lovely Tracy Ray Reynolds) after the season ends.

Chaz Feuerstine and Leslie Stevens

Much to the dismay of Applegate who wants Joe’s soul forever, but because of the deal they made with Joe able to return to his old life, he enlists  Lola (Leslie Stevens/ “Whatever Lola Wants”) 'best home wrecker on his staff' to seduce Joe into staying on permanently with the down under crowd.

Leslie Stevens and Neil Dale 

Things get a bit shaky when Lola falls for Joe and Joe can’t stay away from the old homestead. Applegate…well he’ll just have to find another soul to convert (“Those Were The Good Old Days”).

But never forget the revenge of The Devil. Applegate has plan B when he tries to subvert Jose’s credentials, which adds a little (very little) drama into Joe’s success.

San Diego Musical Theatre is digging in on this opening show, “Damn Yankees” marking its eleventh season. Always touting their live and full 20+ strong orchestra under the able baton of conductor Don LeMaster, choreographed by Jill Gorrie and deftly directed by James Vasquez, we are ready to ‘PLAY BALL”.

With strong performances given by Neil Dale as Applegate, some hard core dancing by Leslie Stevens’ Lola, a very handsome and laid-back Chaz Fuerstine as young Joe Hardy and a versatile cast of about 25 strong that sing, dance, do pushups, twirl and swing bats, juggle baseballs there is much going on in the locker rooms but not so much on the field, but that’s OK we get the picture.

Kate Sapper and Team

Kate Sapper is a standout as the ever present sports reporter and locker room favorite Gloria. She takes a leap of faith as she takes a swan dive from atop the bleachers wall into the waiting arms of the Senators team of players. Awesome!

Team manager Van Buren, (David Kirk Grant) is fine as the head scratching manager thrown off his game by Applegate who always seems to be ‘there’ when big decisions need to made about Joe’s identity.

Jon Sangster, Luke Harvey Jacobs, Paul Morgavo is the commissioner, Lafras le Roux is Smokey and Jonathan Sangster is ‘Rocky’. They are some of the handy -dandy/ singing, dancing players on the team.

A gaggle of women including Christine Hewitt as Sister, Brooke Farnum as Doris and Laura Bueno all play neighbors and fans willing to follow and support Joe Hardy’s right to play in the playoff’s. It all adds up and contributes to the production’s the depth and width, not to mention “Heart”. 

Winner of 11 Tony Awards including Best Musical and Best Choreography (Bob Fossee) “Damn Yankees” is a blast from the past. And ‘tho it has some memorable songs the story feels a bit out dated and sluggish at times.

On opening night there were some nagging sound problems (Kevin Anthenill) that by now I’m sure have been ironed out. Both Neil Dale and Leslie Stevens body mic’s faded in and out and was a bit frustrating not to be able to hear them.  

Janet Pitcher’s costumes dating back to the old baggy striped uniforms and Applegate’s red sox (oops) and black suit, and 50’s looking dresses on the women give a sense of time.

Sean Fanning’s cuts out frames of Joe’s neighborhood with TV antenna atop the houses give a cartoon look off in the background. The locker rooms looking serviceable with clothes scattered about is probably the right look.  Nate Parde’s lighting design is especially effective during Lola’s dance/ seduction numbers.

Next up on the roster is SDMT’s  ‘Pump Up The Volume”.

Enjoy.

See you at the theatre.

Dates: Through June 18th

Organization: San Diego Musical Theatre

Phone: 858.560.5740

Production Type: Musical

Where: 121 Broadway, Downtown San Diego, 92101

Ticket Prices: Start at $22.00

Web: sdmt.org

Venue: Spreckels Theatre

Photo: Ken Jacques

“Spitfire Grill” lends folksy appeal in North Coast Rep’s production

North Coast Repertory Theatre in Solana beach is presenting the “The Spitfire Grill” by James Valcq (book and music), Fred Alley (lyrics and book) based on the film by Lee David Zlotoff.  It plays through July 2^nd.

The one and only time yours truly had seen this was when it was produced was in 2003 by Moonlight Stage Productions. It starred Alexander Auckland as Percy and Sandy Campbell as Shelby and was directed by Kathy Brombacher.  

The 1996 film, by Lee David Zlotoff, starred none other than Ellen Burstyn. In 2001 the stage production was nominated for Best Off-Broadway musical.

Billed as a folk rock musical, most if not all of the musical numbers will not sound familiar, (think country, bluegrass and pop) but since most of the musical story/play is sung (there are about 16 musical numbers in then score) the lyrics tell the story and  provide emotional insight.

Cast from L to R Maggie Carney, Devlin, Kevin Earley, Aurora Florence, Kevin Bailey, Meghan Andrews and Matt Thompson

The story takes place in Gilead, Wisconsin. 

A young female inmate, Percy (Aurora Florence) is released from prison and put to work as a waitress in the town’s only café, “The Spitfire Grill” owned and operated by Hannah Ferguson (Devlin). Hannah’s been trying to get rid of the grill for ten years with no takers. 

Percy chose Gilead because she found a picture in a travel guide magazine “Autumn Colors Along Copper Creek Near Gilead, Wisconsin” and liked what she saw in the picture. She’s originally from Appalachia and she’s surely not going back to the scene of her crime.

The Spitfire is like any other small town’s diner or grill. It is here where the locals gather (at least for breakfast) repeating all the gossip that’s fit to print, have their say and leave. The ‘grill’ is also part of the lodge where Hannah lives and now is home to Percy.

Aurora Florence and Maggie Carney

The town’s residents include Sheriff Joe Sutter (Kevin Earley), Hanna’s nephew, Caleb Thorp (Kevin Bailey), his wife, Shelby (Meghan Andrews) and the town crier and postmistress, Effy Krayneck (Maggie Carney).

 Seen in the still of the night is ‘a mystery man’.

The characters are pretty typical and realistic of small town folks, not necessarily a bad thing especially when we watch them develop into three-dimensional, real life folks right in front of our eyes.

As predictable as “Spitfire” is, director Jeffrey B. Moss and his excellent ensemble make the most of several plots that crisscross and intersect and make them feel plausible. Of course we’d like think, most lived happily ever after.

Percy and her partner in crime Shelby take over the grill’s running when Hannah’s hip gives out and she can no longer stand on her feet and after Shelby’s husband Caleb becomes abusive and overbearing.

Aurora Florence and Meghan Andrews

Shelby is on the wrong end of her husband’s frustration and anger since his job of quarry foreman ended when the quarry closed. Caleb’s disagreeable temperament (he belongs in the dark ages with his  ‘I have no ironed shirts to wear’ attitude) puts him in the not so much to like category as he carries a long time grudge. (“Digging Stone”)

Shelby and Percy become sisters in kind as they compliment each other in voice and comportment. (“The Colors of Paradise”) Theirs is a symbiotic relationship that is most evident and quite wonderful to watch. Ms Andrew's soprano voice is gorgeous.

Aurora Florence (a graduate of BYU’s musical theatre program), whose Percy turns a dying and dismal town around and brings hope to the local (albeit small) population is the thread that sets into motion the idea of raffling off the grill to the best essayist that can convince Percy, Hannah and Shelby that their reasoning is sincere. It’s the easiest way for Hannah to get rid of the grill. All it takes is an essay and a one hundred dollar bill.

Kevin Earley is the easy, lonesome and likeable Sheriff who shows an interest in Percy and it requires all he can muster to have her see the light of his affections. Her sorted past and prison time has put a damper on her future.

He and Percy do find each other after a series of non- starters bring them together. His tender tenor voice fits right in with the strong ensemble. His convincing and easy personality (“Forest for the Trees”,  “This Wide Woods” and “Ring Around The Moon”) fits the bill as a romantic interest

Aurora Florence and Kevin Earley

Maggie Carney brings comic relief and perfect timing as the ‘town crier’ spreading gossip as far as her telephone will carry it.

Devlin’s Hannah is perfect as the gruff, tough and long ago tired grill owner who has a secret she’s been carrying around for years. Her “Forgotten Lullaby” is beautiful and speaks volumes. Matt Thompson makes a late appearance as…well, no spoilers here.

Ms. Florence's acting and stage presence are more than convincing as she comes across at first as shy and vulnerable, but soon shows her strength as she pushes through and becomes the catalyst for all she sees as positive and caring.  She is definitely a find for San Diego. Her mezzo voice is powerful and her range broad. 

On the day I saw the show her voice sounded strained and the music overall discordant and loud, but I fell in love with several of the tunes and lyrics; in particular “Colors of Paradise” sung in beautiful harmony by Percy and Shelby.

Musical director Alby Potts is on keyboard. The four musicians accompanying the cast include Nikko Nobleza on guitar and mandolin, Catherine Gray on violin and George Spelvin on cello. They  were seen behind one of the scrims making up part of the set designed by Marty Burnett.

Covering the back wall of the playing area, a map of Wisconsin looms large thanks to Aaron Rumley’s projections. Matt Novotny designed the effective lighting, Elisa Benzoni the costumes, and Chad Lee Thymes the sound.

L. to R. Meghan Andrews, Kevin Earlry, Aurora Florence, Maggie Carney and Devlin

 Overall the poignant message of forgiveness, nurturing and hope is compelling with an almost spiritual feel that sets in. After all is said and done, one is left with a warm uplifting message and for some, teary eyes.

For something different with lots of down home wisdom you won’t want to miss “Spitfire Grill”.  

See you at the theatre.

Dates: Through July 2^nd.

Organization: North Coast Repertory Theatre

Phone: 858.481.1055

Production Type: Musical

Where: 987D Lomas Santa Fe Drive, Solana Beach, CA

Ticket Prices: $46.00-$52.00

Web: northcoastreo.org

Venue: North Coast Repertory Theatre

Photo: Aaron Rumley