Review of 'City of Angels' at Arts at Angeloria's

Southington, CT - The Arts at Angeloria’s opened the premiere production in their brand-new Arts Barn on the campus of this unique venue. A@A is an eclectic location for “events, entertainment, and instruction in the arts” in a most beautiful turn-of-the-century Victorian setting.

CITY OF ANGELS is a one-of-a-kind musical with a book by Larry Gelbart (of M*A*S*H fame,) music by Cy Coleman and clever lyrics by David Zippel. This production was directed by Kate Kovacs Luurtsema with music direction by Alan Dougherty, the resident music director for Square Foot Theatre in Wallingford. Choreography that was just enough was designed by L. Columbatto in her debut with this venue; she also conducted the onstage orchestra in a smart fedora. Peter Weidt was the overworked stage manager and he pulled it all off with aplomb.

The show is set in late 1940s Hollywood; there are two stories that happen simultaneously: a Hollywood comedy stage left and a detective drama stage right. The real-life scenes are dressed in full color, while the movie scenes are “shot” in black and white. Most of the cast doubles as characters in the "real" world and their fictional “reel” counterparts.The musical is an homage to the film noir genre that came to be in the 1940s. I tried mightily to keep up with the interwoven stories and innumerable characters; for the most part, it made sense, but I discovered with some research after the show that I had missed many details. For me, this did not detract from enjoying the great musical numbers and fine performances by many of the cast members.

Producer Angeloria “Lori” Holm recounts the difficulty in launching this musical in her note in the program. “‘Wow! This is some complicated musical,’ I said to myself - to distinguish real life from “reel” life, sets and costumes for writer Stine’s story bathed in technicolor, sets and costumes for Stone’s story in black and white 1940’s film noir style, actors alternating roles in both Stine’s and Stone’s worlds throughout a staggering 40+ scene changes, real characters talking to fictitious ones, fictitious characters controlling real ones, two worlds colliding from time to time throughout the show, a cue every eight seconds for the stage manager, and a very challenging jazz score that requires actors to stretch themselves musically - can we do it?” She concludes with “Art finds its way through the hearts, hands, and heads of the artists drawn to it” and I would concur.

Ms. Luurtsema made wonderful use of the impressive set to make clear the switching between the two worlds. The backlit windows on both sides were a nice addition and a hint as to what was coming up. Costumes designed by Debbie Cashman were reminiscent of the 1940s and flattered all body types. Jaunty hats and period hair styles added much to just about every scene.

Ed Rosenblatt, who has served as music director for many musicals at this venue, grabbed onto the role of the private detective Stone with gusto and gave an impressive performance in what for him is a dream role. It was a treat to see him act onstage with his love Lori Holm.

Ms. Holm of Southington took on the roles of the glamorous Alaura Kingsley as well as the gum chewing Carla Haywood, two very distinctive characters. She has appeared in RING OF FIRE with Landmark and the title role in MAME at The Arts at Angeloria’s in the black box she formed out of the garage attached to her home.

The multi-credited community theatre actor Rick Fountain (Lumiere in BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, Mrs. Bumbrake in PETER AND THE STARCATCHER, Bert in MARY POPPINS by Warner Stage Co.) gave a stellar performance as the writer Stine in his debut with this group.

Local actress, model, musician and fashion designer Sophia Lily Cannavo gave a standout performance in the roles of Avril Raines and the “missing” Mallory Kingsley. Ms. Cannavo, a graduate of WCSU with a BA in Music Performance, has a strong stage presence and easily switched between her characters. CCSU sophomore Chris Gallagher played her brother Peter Kingsley in his A@A debut.

Amelia Nemeth, Sara Fabrizio, Amanda Gross (ELF, WE WILL ROCK YOU, GODSPELL by Landmark,) and Kaity Marzik, were the fabulous vocalists in the girl group called the Angel City Four. Their close harmonies were a joyful, jazzy noise. Ms. Marzik also played Pasca, Ms. Gross played Bootsie, and Ms. Nemeth also played Jackie. Steffon Sampson (Moritz in SPRING AWAKENING at the Warner) sang very well in the role of Jimmy Powers in his debut at A@A.

Elizabeth Reynolds (CLEAN HOUSE, THE CROOKED HOUSE at A@A) took on a slew of roles and did very well with all of them. Bob Saunders (SPAMALOT, RING OF FIRE, MEMPHIS with Landmark) looked like he was having fun in his roles of Dr. Mandril, Gilbert and Gene in his debut at this venue. Ed Hobson played the “disreputable, pompous rogue” Buddy Fidler; his counterpart was Irwin S. Irving. Katherine Loy made her debut with this venue in the roles of Oolie and Donna and did very well indeed.

I was happy to see Julie Sopchak of Southington on the stage again to play Sonny, Mahoney, a studio cop and an orderly. Ms. Sopchak appeared in COMPANY by Steeple Players, documenting the rehearsal process in the Southington Citizen, as well as in THE WHO’S TOMMY in the black box theatre at this venue. The wonderful Steve Sorriero (IT SHOULDA BEEN YOU in Goshen, THE FANTASTICKS) was a joy as Pancho Vargas and Lt. Munoz.

I was pleased to see the Arts at Angeloria debut of the talented Ashley McLeod (Heidi in TITLE OF SHOW in Goshen) in the roles of Stine’s wife Gabby and torch singer Bobbie. I appreciated her rendition of the "With Every Breath I Take," but my favorite of her numbers was "It Needs Work" as Gabby.

The orchestra conducted by Ms. Colombatto included Bill D’Andrea on piano, Will Valenti on trumpet I, Jameson Forsythe on trumpet II, Jeff Grubin on trombone, Evan Cintron and John Loughran on sax/woodwinds, Jordan Brint on bass and Nate Dobas on drums. They made the jazz-inspired score sound magnificent. Lighting design by Larch Purinton made the most of this intimate space and kudos to technical director/photographer Christopher Zajac.

Thank you to House Mistress Renee Andrzejczuk for taking such good care of audience members. CITY OF ANGELS, the premiere Art Barn story, runs May 31 through June 9, 2019. It is worth a visit to the brand new stage at Arts at Angeloria’s to see this seldom-produced musical; be sure to tour the beautiful grounds and the amazing Victorian home.

Nancy Sasso Janis has been writing theatre reviews since 2012 as a way to support local theatre venues. She posts reviews of well over 100 productions each year. In 2016, she became a member of the Connecticut Critics Circle. She continues to contribute theatre news, previews, and audition notices to local Patch sites. Reviews of all levels of theatrical productions are posted on Naugatuck Patch and the Patch sites closest to the venue. Follow the reviewer on her Facebook pages Nancy Sasso Janis: Theatre Reviewer and on Twitter @nancysjanis417