who stole the show in the troubies' two gentlemen of chicago? · who stole the show in the...

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Who Stole the Show in the Troubies'Two Gentlemen of Chicago?

Matt Walker, Christine Lakin, Monica Schneider and Rob Nagle. Photos by Chelsea Sutton

The inspired mockery of the Troubadour Theatre Company’slatest production Two Gentlemen of Chicago proves that agreat idea never gets old. Following their highly successfulformula of combining Shakespeare’s text with iconic musicand mining it for laughs, they have once again concocted ashow that hits its target from every angle. With an abundanceof pop culture references, topical humor, and plenty of in-the-moment improv, it’s got classic Troubie written all over it. Oh,and did I mention there’s a dog?

That can only mean that this time they’ve taken Shakespeare’searliest comedy, The Two Gentlemen of Verona, a play that

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already contains an abundance of the absurd, and thrown it inthe pot with Chicago’s classic hits of the ‘70s and ‘80s,complete with wah wah pedal and brass section. And what amix it makes. In balancing its many parts, it’s hard to say whoor what steals the show more often.

Is it the befuddling grandiosity of one gent, or the true caddishbehavior of the other? Valentine (Rob Nagle) makes the casefor the former in his candy pink finery, red sweetheart lips,and white powdered wig. (My god, he’s almost one-third headin Sharon McGunigle’s fantastic costume!) It’s worth the priceof admission just to see him in his Act II cupid outfit withwings and Roman sandals…and playing the pan pipes. Or is itMatt Walker as Proteus, the scheming good guy/bad friendwho sings, dances, plays the puns and the women, and gets thebest ominous villain underscoring possible?

Maybe it’s Beth Kennedy, who in my book tops all of herprevious roles with her portrayal of Launce. Commanding thestage, alone with a dog, she throws herself completely into herutterly endearing character and is funnier than I’ve ever seenher. Her run-on jokes and top-of-Act II recap with Speed(Matthew Morgan) are highlights, as well as a gleefully calledfoul on Walker opening night that occurred when he was lateon an entrance (though I think he’s still debating that).

Morgan Rusler, Rob Nagle and Rick Batalla

The honor of scene-stealer of the night could go to RickBatalla’s double turn as Silvia’s (Monica Schneider) prancingsuitor Thurio in his “sha-bam sha-bam blue boots,” andProteus’ father Antonio, so old you better watch out or he’llfall down and not be able to get up. Morgan Rusler makes aplay for it as the Duke who is always ready with a trombonelick when his name is mentioned and has a rather oddrelationship with Thurio.


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Then again it might go to Christine Lakin (Julia), and maidsLucetta (Katie Nunez) and Brushetta (Lisa Valenzuela) andtheir gorgeous 3-part harmonies on “Call on Me” or theirscene remaking Lakin into a boy à la Bagger Vance. Lakin isalso responsible for the terrific choreography in the dancenumbers.

Joseph Keane is making a regular habit of stealing the end ofAct I, last time by getting his tongue stuck to a pole in AChristmas Westside Story; this time with an absolutelybeautiful end of Act I classic ballet pas de deux with SuzanneJolie Narbonne en pointe. Even the Winter Warlock, freshfrom his study in ‘biamic ontameter’ at the RSC (RealShakespeare Company), makes his attempt at stealing a sceneor two with a few disco moves.

The band often steals the show under Eric Heinly’s musicaldirection, and it should, on Chicago tunes where the horns arefeatured in bold arrangements. Positioned up center andalways on display, they sound terrific on classics like “25 or 6to 4,” “Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is,” “WishingYou Were Here,” and “Make Me Smile.”

Beth Kennedy, Roo the Pug, and Matthew Morgan

Cesar the dog whisperer, the Chippendale boys, Walker's wig,all of them do their level best to take the honor but in the endit is Roo the Pug, playing Crab the Dog, who succeeds instealing the hearts of an entire audience, and every scene heenters. And he does it without saying a word. Mr. DeMille…Ithink he’s ready for his close-up.

Rest assured this latest Troubie confection will leave youbreathless with laughter and begging for more, for once theycatch a joke by the tail, you can bet money they'll chase it tillthe cows come home - all the while wooing you with their ownspecial charm. They're an irresistible bunch.


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Two Gentlemen of Chicago runs through April 22 at theFalcon Theatre, 4252 Riverside Drive, Burbank, CA 91505 .For tickets go to www.falcontheatre.com.

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Wednesday, February 15, 2012

The Troubies are Back with TwoGents

If you’ve never seen a Troubieshow, this is your chance!Falcon Theatre is proud topresent Troubadour TheaterCompany’s Two Gentlemen ofChicago, directed by MattWalker, the final productionof its 2011-2012 SubscriptionSeason. The Ovation Award-winning theater company isputting their signature spinon Shakespeare’s rockin'romantic comedy TwoGentlemen of Verona.

When friends Proteus andValentine give up anotherSaturday in the Park and head

to the big city of Milan, Proteus' love Julia protests with, "IfYou Leave Me Now who will Colour My World?” Proteusproclaims, "I Don't Wanna Live Without Your Love but I'm AMan and must go!" Meanwhile in Milan, the sour-on-loveValentine finds new Beginnings when he encounters the lovelySilvia. But when Proteus meets Silvia, he falls for her as well,and his beloved Julia is NOT such a Hard Habit to Break.Mayhem ensues when both men tell Silvia, "You're theInspiration". This is a Once in a Lifetime chance and theTroubies are Wishing You Were Here!


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The show begins previews March 14 and will open Friday,March 23 at 8pm and continue through Sunday, April 22.Tickets go on sale February 22 and can be purchased online athttp://www.falcontheatre.com/ or by calling 818- 955-8101.

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