Dames at Sea
The Olney Theatre Center for the Arts
http://www.olneytheatre.org/

Review by Sharon Kennedy

Simplicity in Elegance Make an Exceptional “Dames at Sea”

All Elements—Scene Design, Stage Lighting, Costumes, Chorography, and the Company’s rendition of the show tunes—make a superb “Dames at Sea”

“Dames at Sea” is now at the Olney Theatre Center for the Arts through March 30, 2003.  Both the stage crew and company gather the best elements of scene design to craft in their performing arts to make a superb “Dames at Sea.”

The Olney sets a fitting mood to “Dames at Sea” (book by George Haimsohn and Robin Miller and Music by Jim Wise), a take-off on the 1930s movie musical that launched Bernadette Peters in 1968 and model of its predecessor “42nd Street.”  Haimsohn and Miller’s story is a  take-off on the Depression-era Warner Bros. movies.  There are a number of musicals representative of the Depression-era that sought to enable a means of escape to happier times for Americans. You can see some examples at “Musicals in the Depression” (http://xroads.virginia.edu/~UG02/FILM/musicaldepression.html). 

 So you will find this musical, “Dames at Sea” fun and thoroughly entertaining with its comedy, dancing, and show tunes.

 Like its predecessor “42nd Street,” the story is similar. Ruby (Meghan Touey) seeks to escape from Centerville, UT for hopefully happier times in New York City.  Ruby lands the role of a chorus girl in a Broadway show and instantly falls in love with a sailor-boy from her hometown, named Dick (Sol Baird).

Photo by Stan Barouh
Sol Baird and Meghan Touey
pictured here
"Dames at Sea" photo Sol Baird and Meghan Touey, photo by Stan Barouh

 

Though, one knows in their heart that everything will turn out with a happy ending, there are various dramatic twists and turns to get to the happy ending. Meghan Touey has the right mix of novice hesitation and determination to confront Mona Kent (Deborah Tranelli).  Deborah Tranelli presents a force to contend with, as the jaded leading star, Mona, who has her eye on Ruby’s boyfriend Dick.

Mona isn’t the only force to contend with.  Characters must come to grips with their fate when they find the theatre being demolished.  Other Olney company members provide support for the mood and direction this show takes.  Jack Kyrieleison skillfully plays the roles of Hennesey at any “42nd Street Theatre,” and The Captain of the Navy battleship. Sherri L Edelen as Joan befriends Ruby and shows her the ropes.  Brad Bradley as Lucky, is adept in his role of sailor and supporting character at the theatre and battleship.

 Show tunes portray the mood to escape from depression-era like surroundings.  Some that will be especially memorable are “Wall Street,” “Good Times are Here to Say,” “Dames at Sea,” “Let’s Have a Simple Wedding,” among others.

All of this—the company’s rendition of the show tunes, costumes, the company’s craft at performing various roles is set against Olney’s “Art Deco” scene design.

 The Art Deco scene design represents a mix of popular styles from the 1920s and 1930s, the time period for “Dames at Sea.”  The form and shape is simplistic yet elegant with vibrant colors.  The theatre scene is framed with pleasing lines that lead the eye to a focal point on the stage.  The frame is decorated with lights, yellow giving a radiant, golden mood at least at the beginning of Ruby’s first acquaintance with Broadway.

The Olney Theatre Center very effectively uses smaller framed screens that are lowered and raised. Behind the screens, the stage crew backlights characters who re-enact like shadow puppets plays within plays to various show tunes.

And the final scene is the battleship with various levels to provide shifting focal points to subordinate and dominate characters. 

Photo by Stan Barouh
Sol Baird and Meghan Touey
pictured here on the battleship
"Dames at Sea" Photo by Stan Barouh

 Much like the “Art Deco” to the theatre scene, the battleship has the same simple lines.

 You will want to see the characters through the various dramatic twists and turns—how the company gets from the theatre to the battleship, how the company resolves romantic conflicts—to get to the happy.  ending.  

"Dames at Sea" begins the Olney Theatre Center for the Arts "Season 2003 Calendar."  Following "Dames as Sea," "The Miser," "Private Lives," "Monster," "Anna Karenina," "Charley's Aunt, and "The Gift" will be presented.  For further information call the Olney Theatre Center's box office at 301-924-3400 or visit their web site at http://www.olneytheatre.org/ .

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