“Curtains” A Funny Whodunnit
By Victoria Beninga
Staff Writer
Why would a 16-year-old girl scream, jump up and
down, and give her mom a high five? Because I, her mom, just told
her we were going to see “Curtains.” We have seen many musicals
performed by the members of El Dorado Musical Theatre, all ages 20
and younger, and they have all been incredible. “Curtains” is a
murder mystery set in 1959 Boston. It was performed at the elegant
Three Stages at Folsom Lake College. Music and lyrics are by Kander
and Ebb, the duo who gave us “Cabaret,” “Chicago,” and “Kiss of the
Spiderwoman.”
Photo: Curtains, courtesy photo
“Curtains” begins during opening night of a musical, “Robbin’
Hood.” The hilariously untalented lead actress Jessica Cranshaw,
played by Kaileen Teter, is murdered. Detective Frank Cioffi
arrives to solve the murder. Frank is played by handsome Matt
Surges. Frank, an actor wannabe, divides his time between trying to
solve the murder and trying to improve “Robbin’ Hood.” Matt Surges
plays the part of Frank beautifully. His strength is his body
language, often sending the audience into hysterical laughter with
a simple move. Frank’s love interest, sweet, innocent Niki Harris,
is played by Heather Clark, who exudes sweetness and wholesomeness.
Frank and Niki look adorable together. Frank has his work cut out
for him as more murders occur.
Another love story is between
Georgia Hendricks and Aaron Fox. Georgia is thrust into the lead of
“Robbin’ Hood” after Jessica’s murder. Katherine Sorgea, who plays
Georgia, amazes me with her beauty, singing, dancing, and acting.
Aaron, Georgia’s estranged husband and lyric-writing partner, is
played by heartthrob Chris Meissner. During the song “I Miss the
Music,” Chris came to the front of the stage and belted out the
chorus, taking my breath away and giving my daughter goose bumps.
Photo: Curtains, courtesy photo
Although all the members of “Curtains” are excellent, some
standouts are “Robbin’ Hood” producer Carmen Bernstein, an
authoritarian with a secret sweet side played by Helen Regula;
hilariously arrogant director Christopher Belling, played to
perfection by Alex Levy; kind Bobby Pepper, who is also in love
with Georgia and is played by suave Terry Hicks; producer Carmen’s
daughter Bambi Bernet, played by an incredibly provocative, limber
dancer, Anjie Rose Wilson; newspaper critic Daryl Grady, played by
Patrick Freeman; and Bobby’s oar-toting friends Randy Dexter played
by Jonathan Cranmer, and Harv Fremont played by Stefan Sorgea. I’m
not going to give away killer identity, but let’s just say I was
surprised, and amazed at the acting.
There were many wonderful songs. A few of our favorites were “The
Woman is Dead,” “It’s a Business,” sung by Carmen, backed by some
very funny unwilling male background singers; “Thataway,” “He Did
It,” cleverly done in the dark with the singers shining flashlights
into their faces, giving an eerie look; and “In the Same Boat,”
complete with a river and mermaids.
My daughter and I had a
special treat. We were invited to a dress rehearsal of “Curtains.”
It was fun to compare the dress rehearsal, which we thought was
already amazing, to the full performance with sets, make-up, hair,
and final costumes. It was also fun seeing these performers as
normal teenagers before they are transformed into stars on the
stage. “Curtains” producer Marylou Keane, and director and
choreographer Debbie Wilson, made us feel very welcome and took
time out of their busy schedules to answer questions.
Photo: Dress Rehearsal, by Victoria
Beninga
“Curtains” is rated PG for language and sexual innuendo.
Performances are Friday, July 22 at 7:00 p.m.; Saturday, July 23 at
2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.; Sunday, July 24 at 2:00 p.m.; Thursday,
July 28 at 7:00 p.m., which is also Bargain Night with all seats
$14.50; Friday, July 29 at 7:00 p.m.; Saturday, July 30 at 2:00
p.m. and 7:00 p.m. and Sunday, July 31 at 2:00 p.m. Tickets are
$14.50 to $29.00, with group discounts available, except on Bargain
Night. For more information on “Curtains” and future shows, visit
http://edmt.info or call (916)
941-SING (7464). We always think each El Dorado Musical performance
is the best it can get, but after seeing “Curtains,” my daughter
said, “Just when you think it can’t get better, it does.”
Three Stages at Folsom Lake College, 10 College Parkway, Folsom,
CA. Visit: www.threestages.net
or call 916-608-6888. You can
also find out more about EDMT at
www.edmt.info or by calling (916)941-SING.
For information on how to enroll for auditions, become a sponsor, or for
Playbill advertising, visit www.edmt.info or phone (916) 941-SING
(7464). El Dorado Musical Theatre • 5011 golden foothill parkway,
unit #4, El Dorado Hills, CA, 916-941-sing (7464) • fax
916-941-7465.
EDMT is an award winning regional theater company based in El
Dorado Hills, California featuring performers aged 6-20. EDMT was
founded in 2001 and is a Non-Profit Organization. EDMT produces
five major productions per year. Remaining productions this season
include 'Curtains'. Additionally, EDMT produces an annual training
show for performers ages 5-9, no experience is required.
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