Venerable theaters open new seasons

Fall River, UMass troupes adopt French flair

By Lorraine Lucciola, Standard-Times correspondent

The Little Theatre of Fall River and the UMass Dartmouth Theatre Company share the distinct pleasure this evening of opening their respective subscription seasons with "French firsts"!

As the Little Theatre of Fall River enters its 64th year, it adds to its repertoire an exciting musical, performed by the group for the first time -- the deliciously deceiving season opener, "La Cage Aux Folles."

On the North Dartmouth campus, Director Angus Bailey's troupe rings up the curtain on "Picasso at the Lapin Agile" to begin its 32nd season.

Harvey Fierstein's outrageous, yet poignant script, with music and lyrics by Jerry Herman, won the Tony Award for Best Broadway Musical in 1984.

Jeff Belanger directs Little Theatre's production, which is being presented at Bristol Community College.

"I've followed this musical for many years. I know everything about it. It opened on Aug. 21, 1983 at the Palace Theater. I watched it win a Tony. I always wanted to do it," he says.

"It's 'fruitier' than anything else I've directed, more gender-bending," he proclaims. Mr. Belanger's directorial credits include productions of "Shenandoah," "The Rink," "Gypsy," "Singing in the Rain," "Nunsense" and others.

The script deals with the 20-year relationship between Albin and Georges, who run an alternative nightclub in St. Tropez, where they employ a host of "alluring," "lovely," "breathtaking" performers, the notorious "Cagelles." The first appearance of these performers in the opening number will surely have you guessing, "Are they or aren't they ...?"

"It is truly a love story," explains Mr. Belanger, "between Albin and Georges, Georges and Jean-Michel (the son he fathered in a one-night fling), Jean-Michel and his fiancee, Anne, and so on."

''The show is wonderful. It's fun, a good time. There are clever plays-on-words, splashy numbers and yes, a happy ending," he assures. Mr. Belanger's favorite moment in the show is the musical finale, "I Am What I Am."

"It's about being what you need to be. It's about acceptance," he says.

John E. Moniz of Fall River plays Georges and describes his character as "quite a guy." Speaking of the 20-year "marriage" between Albin and Georges, Mr. Moniz points out that even though same-sex or alternative relationships are, indeed, more openly revealed today, the messages contained in "La Cage Aux Folles" are as powerful now as they were shocking, perhaps, 15 years ago when the show made its Broadway debut.

"The show tells audiences that this relationship isn't all that different. ... besides, people love seeing men in dresses on stage!" he notes.

"La Cage Aux Folles" beautifully wraps a serious story-line in delightful and moving musical comedy. In addition to the show-stopping tune, "I Am What I Am", the score includes "The Best of Times," the tender ballad, "Song on the Sand," "Look Over There," and "Anne on My Arm" among others.

Bill Whitehead of Providence plays Albin. Supporting roles are filled by Dani Oliveira as Jacob, the maid; John Ashley as Jean-Michel; Holly Ashley (John's "real-life" spouse) as Anne; Jean MacMillan as Jacqueline; Bruce and Dee Kullander as Eduard and Marie Dindon.

Les Cagelles dancers include Scott Simpkin, George H. Wood III, Eddie Camara, Eric Gomes, Urban Medeiros, Loralee Levesque, Jennifer Harris, Jennifer Rocha and JoAnne Breault.

Musical direction is by Al Deston. The production is choreographed by Janice MacDonald, Michael Coury and Michael Gutter. Pat Taylor is stage manager.

In the main auditorium at UMass tonight, Pablo Picasso meets Albert Einstein in "Picasso at the Lapin Agile," written by "that wild and crazy guy," Steve Martin.

Under the direction of Angus Bailey, the production launches the theater company's 32nd season. "This is the first local college production of the play," says Mr. Bailey.

In an intelligent and whimsical script, we find Picasso and Einstein at the "Frisky Rabbit" (the Lapin Agile), a cafe in Paris. The year is 1904.

"Martin is clever," observes Mr. Bailey. "He creates a mood that looks ahead to the 20th century. Martin plays games and takes a 'millennial' approach, leaping into the future."

Brian Santos plays the artistic master Picasso. Adam Szymkowicz plays the cerebral genius Einstein. Dialogue and scenes between them and a 12-member cast run the gamut from silly comedy to serious drama.

"It's a lighthearted, humanistic defense of the arts and sciences," notes Mr. Bailey. "Martin contrives in a charming way to make you realize that while people are still making a buck, or a 'franc' on sex, for example, the arts and sciences still go on and are important."

"Picasso at the Lapin Agile,"presented by the UMass Dartmouth Theatre Company, will be performed at 8 tonight through Saturday, and at 2 p.m. Sunday. Performances will take place in the Campus Center Auditorium. Single tickets are $7 general admission, $6 for students and senior citizens A season subscription is $25; $20 for students and senior citizens. The season continues with "A Hatful of Rain" (Nov. 5-8), "The King and I" (Dec. 10-13), "The Nerd" (Feb. 18-21), "Lost in Yonkers" (March 25-28) and "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" (May 6-9). For information and reservations, call (508) 999-8167.

The Little Theatre of Fall River's production of "La Cage Aux Folles" opens at 8 tonight in the Margaret L. Jackson Arts Center at Bristol Community College, 777 Elsbree St., Fall River, and continues tomorrow and Saturday evening at 8 p.m., with a 2 p.m. matinee on Sunday. Single tickets are $15, with student, senior and group discounts available. A three-show subscription is available for $30. "The Foreigner'' (Feb. 18-21) and "City of Angels" (April 15-18) complete Little Theatre's 64th subscription season. For reservations and information call (508) 675-1852.

LTFR Home Page

Top:
Photo by David W. Oliveira
John E. Moniz, as Georges, and Dani Oliveira, as Jacob, pose before a cavalcade of "Cagelles," all part of Little Theatre of Fall River's production of "La Cage Aux Folles."

Bottom:
Staff photo by Mike Valeri
Amanda O'Gara, Brian Santos, Adam Szymkowicz and Laura Mancini, actors in UMass Dartmouth's production, toast "Picasso at the Lapin Agile."