Scottsdale Community Players' The Will Rogers Follies at Stagebrush Theatre
(out of 
)Mark S.P. Turvin
(home office) (602) 912-0117
I can be reached for comment via e-mail at: mspt@goldfishpublishers.com
Reviewed 5/5/00
(out of )As it seems everyone knows, I'm not a big fan of fluff. My tastes tend more toward the dark. Countering this, I would rather watch a fluffy show that everyone on the stage sells as if their collective lives depended on it than a professionally done, heartless show where the actors seem disinterested in the material they are presenting. Such is the case of the Scottsdale Community Players' production of the syrupy The Will Rogers Follies. The minimal script and upbeat, though unremarkable score give more information than I ever wanted to know about this endearing early-twentieth century folk hero. However, all 26 members of the cast so genuinely believe in it, and freshman director Robert L. Harper has infused the 150+ minute evening with such joy and energy, I found it hard not to be drawn in.
In his curtain speech, Costume Designer Timothy C. Slope informed the opening night audience that Stagebrush aimed with this show to raise itself to the next level. Mr. Slope was absolutely right. His endless parade of costumes are breathtaking. Michael J. Eddy's lighting, which seems to include more and better instruments, does Florenz Ziegfeld's memory justice. T. John Weltzien's set is flashier than any prior. Musical Director Flora Mogerman's orchestra, while sometimes overpowering the company, still sounded the most professional of a Stagebrush production yet. Most importantly, though, Mr. Harper's casting, as well as his and co-choreographer Darcy Rould's extensive dance numbers, back up this broad claim easily. While this may not have been one of the most polished productions, the overall feel of the show is a good first step toward making this company not merely one of the top community theatres, but an impressive semi-pro.
Will Rogers is the famed Okie who dominated newspaper, radio, and film during the '20s and '30s. He was eminently quotable, friendly-to-a-fault, and filled with simple wisdom. In this production, he is honored, in current day, by the Ziegfeld Follies that helped make him famous. Precisely following the Follies format, old Will, his loving wife Betty, and their four kids review his life while flanked by four male wranglers and a baker's dozen of pretty girls that add window dressing to the evening. It's a cutesy piece that contains little dramatic action, but with all those pretty girls and talented performers, it still packs a lot of charm.
The biggest triumph of the generally triumphant cast is Chris Eriksen, who looks nothing like Rogers, but captures the charm and colloquialism of his subject. He is a strong singer and dancer, and becomes Will convincingly throughout the evening. As wife Betty Blake, Jacque Collins is wonderful. She has nearly perfect comedic timing and a solid voice that captures every mood of her character. Great performances also come from Bruce Halperin as Will's dad, here perfectly representing the curmudgeonly comedic sidekick of all Follies shows, and Susan Hogle as the lead chorus girl, whose Betty Boop-like charm, innocent sensuality, and subtly scheming ways are perfectly blended. Kudos also to Perry Allen, Chelse Cannon, Cory Kotas, and Sam Bartlett for their professional takes both as the Rogers' children, and cute members of a dog act.
While not every one of the Ziegfeld Follies girls were in synch for their extensive dance numbers, knowing that some had only half the time of others to rehearse this dance-intensive material only adds to the surprise of how effective the production ultimately was. They and the Wranglers were so in the moment, various missteps down the notorious Ziegfeld stairs and other mishaps can largely be forgiven.
I have only given two standing o's to community theatres this waning season. The first was for the Stagebrush production Into The Woods, where superior-though-flawed material was bolstered by the amazing cast. This was the second, where a cast so willingly gave themselves over to a limited piece, they raised the evening to unexpected and impressive levels. This is a compliment both to those energized and engaging performers, and to Mr. Harper, who, in this, his first directing gig, offers great promise of wonderful things to come.
Production Details:
The Will Rogers Follies Book by Peter Stone, Music Composed and Arranged
by Cy Coleman, Lyrics by Betty Comden & Adolph
Green
Scottsdale Community
Players
Stagebrush Theatre, Scottsdale
(480) 990-7405
May 5th - May 28th, 2000
