Little Theatre offers divine entertainment with 'City of Angels'

By Lorraine Lucciola, Standard-Times correspondent

If the interwoven, overlapping lives and times of an aspiring, yet hapless-in-Hollywood screenwriter named Stine and the hardly working private investigator he creates, called Stone, is a theme that teases your imagination, then the Little Theatre of Fall River's production of "City of Angels" is for you.

"City of Angels," a musical comedy written by Larry Gelbart with music by Cy Coleman and lyrics by David Zippel, reveals the sensational and seamy sides of Hollywood in the 1940s. The action of the play dips back and forth between "Hollywood," the real setting of the real script, and the fictional "movie" setting of Stine's script.

The score, which is sleek, jazzy and may be unfamiliar to some, ignites and inspires a large cast, who double and sometimes triple in roles. The only two actors who remain in their respective roles are the John Ashley as Stine and Gary Bigelow as Stone.

Mr. Ashley's Stine is a sweet, idealistic guy, who tempers financial frustration with dogged efforts to give life to his fictional gumshoe and the assorted company Stone keeps. Mr. Ashley is sure, steady and perfectly likable in the role.

Gary Bigelow as Stone provides an appealing character who is equally frustrated by his down-and-out business, but soon gets caught up in investigating murders and finding missing persons. Mr. Bigelow plays this role with attractive, laid-back ease. In characteristic fashion, he is charming and compelling.

One such missing person is the lovely Mallory Kingsley, ( Holly Ashley), stepdaughter of the equally lovely, secretive and seductive Alaura Kingsley, played with smooth sophistication by Dee Kullander. Ms. Kullander also doubles as Carla Haywood, wife of movie director/producer Buddy Fidler in Stine's Hollywood. Jerry Goldberg, an actor whose stage antics have become synonymous with superb physical comedy and expert timing, also creates the role of Irwin S. Irving, movie mogul, in Stone's world.

An energetic and completely satisfying supporting performance is given by Paula Arruda, a multi-talented actor/singer/dancer. She doubles as Donna, Buddy's secretary in Hollywood and as Oolie, Stone's fictional gal-Friday. Ms. Arruda has tremendous appeal. She is lively, funny and real.

Ken Ettress is Pancho Vargas/Lt. Munoz, bringing the house down with the help of Dennis Robinson, Frank Noble and Rick Brejcha, in the number, "All Ya Have to Do Is Wait." Mr. Ettress moves and speaks with pure commitment to and respect for the characters he enacts, introducing them to us with pleasure and poise.

Kelly Estrella as Gabby/Bobbi soars vocally in this show. Bruce Kullander and John Los pair up for bumbling comic relief in "both" casts as the heavies, Big Six and Sonny, respectively, and as Studio Cops.

The musical hallmark of the production is the incredible vocal interpretations of the Angel City 6: John E. Moniz, David Faria, Adam Foster, Maryann Goulart, Cindy Stillings and Mary Wrobleski. Their powerful four-part harmony is brassy, strong and exciting.

The production achieves impressive moods of reality and fantasy by contrasting bright set pieces and colors with smoky, shadowing effects. These technical aspects are successfully achieved and heighten the setting and time of the play.

"City of Angels" is co-directed by Jane Fiore-Bigelow, musical director, and Janice MacDonald, choreographer. Audiences can expect to see the same high-caliber talent and diversity that has defined the Little Theatre of Fall River for over 60 years in this current, off-beat vehicle. The look and feel of "City of Angels" is different from many of Little Theatre's musical selections of the past. This cast successfully rises to the challenge of presenting something exciting and new.

"City of Angels" will continue tonight at 8 and tomorrow at 2 p.m. at the Margaret L. Jackson Arts Center of Bristol Community College, 777 Elsbree Street, Fall River.

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

LTFR Home Page