THE ARTISTIC TYPE: A BLOG OF THEATER, ARTS AND CULTURE
Orlando Fringe review: 'See Rock City & Other Destinations'
May 2, 2013|By Matthew J. Palm, Orlando Sentinel Theater Critic
When I was a student at Syracuse University, a friend suggested a spontaneous midnight road trip to Niagara Falls — now a glorious memory of border crossings, greasy food, and oh, yes, one of the world's great natural wonders. When the musical "See Rock City & Other Destinations" captures that sense of "it's the journey, not the destination," and that freedom that comes from travel, it soars like a Corvette cruising down the California coast with its top down.
The Bay Street Players first presented the show in April at their Eustis theater, where I saw it. Director Joel Warren has his appealing cast take a breezy tone with the material, landing the many laughs. But such chipperness comes at the expense of the darker ideas in this very clever show by Adam Mathias and Brad Alexander. The idea that travel offers an escape for souls trapped by the circumstances of their lives feels brushed aside.
Another bump in the road: The singing voices of some cast members aren't quite up to the challenge of Alexander's catchy music. But the spirit of adventure sees them through.
A standout scene: Kayla Alvarez, Kelly Coy and Katelyn Long as three dissimilar sisters taking a cruise to disperse their father's ashes. Funny and realistic, tender yet not maudlin, such moments make this a trip well worth taking.
90 mins. Rated G-14. Silver venue.
Showtimes:
5/18, 2 p.m.
5/21, 7:45 p.m.
5/24, 5:15 p.m.
5/26, noon
Orlando Fringe review: 'See Rock City & Other Destinations'
May 2, 2013|By Matthew J. Palm, Orlando Sentinel Theater Critic
When I was a student at Syracuse University, a friend suggested a spontaneous midnight road trip to Niagara Falls — now a glorious memory of border crossings, greasy food, and oh, yes, one of the world's great natural wonders. When the musical "See Rock City & Other Destinations" captures that sense of "it's the journey, not the destination," and that freedom that comes from travel, it soars like a Corvette cruising down the California coast with its top down.
The Bay Street Players first presented the show in April at their Eustis theater, where I saw it. Director Joel Warren has his appealing cast take a breezy tone with the material, landing the many laughs. But such chipperness comes at the expense of the darker ideas in this very clever show by Adam Mathias and Brad Alexander. The idea that travel offers an escape for souls trapped by the circumstances of their lives feels brushed aside.
Another bump in the road: The singing voices of some cast members aren't quite up to the challenge of Alexander's catchy music. But the spirit of adventure sees them through.
A standout scene: Kayla Alvarez, Kelly Coy and Katelyn Long as three dissimilar sisters taking a cruise to disperse their father's ashes. Funny and realistic, tender yet not maudlin, such moments make this a trip well worth taking.
90 mins. Rated G-14. Silver venue.
Showtimes:
5/18, 2 p.m.
5/21, 7:45 p.m.
5/24, 5:15 p.m.
5/26, noon