Vets return for 'Boy Friend'

By Lorraine Lucciola, Standard-Times correspondent

The Little Theatre of Fall River's production of "The Boy Friend" is as new as the year 2000 and as nostalgic as its original 1959 production of the show.

"The Boy Friend," dedicated to the late Angus Bailey, concludes Little Theatre's 65th season. A longtime friend of Little Theatre and director of the UMass Dartmouth Theatre Company, Mr. Bailey directed the community theater's 1959 production, which was its first musical offering.

The current co-director, Jeff Belanger, looks at this production from his own historical perspective. "I was born in 1959!" he announces.

Mr. Belanger speaks of this particular show with reverence and memories of his own. Little Theatre "did the show again in 1983. I choreographed it then and I played Pierre. I did the tango," he recalls.

Eight members of the original cast have been rounded up for the current production, now to appear in "cameo" roles. They are Janice MacDonald, who made her debut with Little Theatre in that show and who co-directs this production, John Cummings, Julie Rezendes, Lois McCarthy, Louis Sanft, Brud Hadley, Ethel Winokoor and Peg Panos.

One would expect the noisy preparation and anticipation at rehearsals to come from younger members of the cast. This time, the laughter and excitement bubble from the veteran talents.

"We're especially looking forward to members of the 1959 cast becoming part of Little Theatre's first musical of the new century," says Mr. Belanger.

"The Boy Friend," a romantic spoof of musical comedies of the 1920s, is set on the French Riviera. The plot follows the exploits of a group of English schoolgirls in search of love, romance and fun.

Leading man Mark Lalosh of Dartmouth plays Tony. "He's not overly impressed with himself, but he happens to come across a girl and it's love at first sight. From there on, it's all exaggeration ... 'John! Marcia!' stuff. It's very fun and easy," Mr. Lalosh says of his role. This is the first time he has worked with the Little Theatre of Fall River.

The object of his affection is Polly, played by Veronique Thomaes-Sylvia of Fairhaven, also appearing with Little Theatre for the first time.

The fun begins when both characters, who are filthy rich, attempt to hide that fact from each other. "I guess she feels like 'Take me as I am.' She doesn't want to intimidate him," says Ms. Thomaes-Sylvia.

Ms. MacDonald plays the illustrious Madame Dubonnet. "I'm having a ball, especially working opposite John E. Moniz, who is Percival Browne," she says.

"I'm a millionaire, widowed, still on the prowl. It's a spicy, nostalgic role," adds Mr. Moniz.

The cast also features Roger Fournier as Alphonse. Mr. Fournier describes his character as "quiet on the surface, but devilish inside." He says he prefers performing in musical comedies because it allows actors to "put on a different face."

Melissa Barboza plays Dulce, his love interest. "We have very good chemistry on stage," notes Mr. Fournier. "It's all about love."

Jerry Goldberg plays Lord Brocklehurst with Katie vanderSleesen as Lady Brocklehurst. Other supporting roles are filled by David Faria, Loralee Levesque, Christine Mills, Jennifer Harris, Karen Faxon, Garrett J. Lafrance and Chris Lyndon.

Jane Fiore-Bigelow is handling musical direction. Songs in the Sandy Wilson score include "Won't You Charleston with Me?," "I Could Be Happy with You," "The Boy Friend," "The Riviera," "Fancy Forgetting," and others. Choreography is by Michael Coury, and Terry Ferro is stage manager.

"The Boy Friend" opens this evening at 8, with performances at the same time tomorrow and Saturday, and a matinee at 2 p.m. Sunday. The musical is being presented in the Margaret L. Jackson Arts Center at Bristol Community College, 777 Elsbree St., Fall River.

Tickets are $15, $12 for students and senior citizens and $5 for children 12 and under. For reservations and information, call (508) 675-1852.

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