I have stepped away from Monday music posts for a while…and probably won’t post as often as I have in the past…too many other things on my mind! But to end September, 2024, and probably summer here in Milwaukee:
The Lake Country Playhouse Opens With ‘The Outsider’, And It’s A Lulu!
It might seem a little bold, opening your new season at the height of a boisterous presidential election with a political comedy. But in this case you have no fear! The Outsider is non-denominational,…no, no, I mean non-partisan: except that it leans heavily towards the laughs! We are in a small state governor’s office, we don’t know which state. And we never know what particular party any of the characters belong to. But we will recognize the characters and characterizations very very clearly as typical denizens of American politics…and playwright Paul Slade Smith pushes to the limits for all that he is worth.
It is the first day in Governor Ned Newley’s administration. He was the policy wonk Lt. Governor until the incumbent had to resign for a number of sexual peccadilloes. And just hours in, it appears to be a disaster as the socially awkward Newley froze up during his swearing in and the cringe worthy video is making its way around the world via social media and YouTube. And because his staff covered up the former governor’s sins, they have all resigned and Chief of Staff Dave Riley finds himself as the only staffer in Newley’s new administration. And he sets out to rectify that immediately by bringing in pollster and campaign advisor Paige Caldwell and puts in a call to HR for a temp to work reception and answer the phones. And from the very moment that Paige and Dave start their initial discussions, all kinds of comedy hell and sleight of hand breaks loose!
Director Goo has put together a delightful cast just ready to mine the humor in The Outsider. And then Goo has enabled them to completely inhabit their characters as the over the top political stereotypes that Paul Slade Smith has provided. It is so seamless that this is one play where keeping the actor separate from the role is nearly impossible.
Jack Anderson is an astute Dave Riley. He is earnest, honest, and idealistic and becomes the butt of a few jokes. Anderson has the ideal cringe for the cringe worthy episodes and his exasperated pacing, glances, and hand wringing perfectly suit the characters and the scenes. I have met a few young campaign managers and activists, and Anderson has given Dave all of those ‘guys’ a run for their money. Dave clearly believes in Newley and Anderson portrays that loyalty through the rough spots here. But Dave turns the tables at the end and Anderson’s change in persona gives us the perfect I told you so feeling at the end.
Paige Caldwell is a very skilled and competent campaign pollster and Zoe Osk portrays her in an imposing confident style through out. She and Dave have a history that isn’t quite a friends thing but he wants her on board anyway…because, well, as they both agree, she was always right. And she isn’t necessarily right this time, and when a big name campaign manager shows up unbidden, Caldwell gives us Paige’s initial push back and eventual buy in a clearly believable fashion. But Paige isn’t necessarily the by all means hack she first appears to be, and Caldwell brings her humanity and sense of purpose to the fore, eventually. But, she WAS initially one of those having fun at Newley’s expense by sharing the swearing-in video on line.
So who is Governor Newley? Well, for Michael Stickney, he’s a well versed policy wonk one on one with Dave but is a hilariously disheveled mess when confronting his new role or coming upon strangers in his new office. The office draperies are key to some of the humor here. And Stickney is just flat out funny as he morphs from his natural shyness around groups of people to the average guy persona that the consultants think he should become. It makes no sense on the face of it but Stickney sells the shift in character as he ‘struts’ across the stage in his new flannel look and recites a series of non-committal answers to questions. And then he comes alive as he returns as the policy wonk and wins the day!!
Arthur Vance is the campaign manager who swoops in from Washington DC after seeing Newley on social media. Newley is just the candidate he is looking for, someone who doesn’t appear competent for his job. And Peter Brian Kelly has brought on all of the smarm that this character needs. Vance has no compass other than he just wants to win and he is sure that Newly is his ticket. And Kelly just maintains his strut, his composure, his sales technique, and his smooth even as things go askew OR he finds a new opportunity under his nose. And did Costumer Nancy Hurd put him in a perfectly fitting ‘sharkskin’ suit or what?
And Vance arranges a new interview for Newley through a buddy at Channel 3, and they send reporter Rachel Parsons over. And she is played by Jessica Schulz with a sense of unbounded determination and energy that makes her a pleasure to see in action. She too experiences some trepidation about what is happening but is determined to keep her job by doing the job she was given. Schulz gives us that sense of angst without totally surrendering the spunk that her character is meant to exhibit…and also exudes a certain sense of coy around Dave that may or may not be flirting??
And then there is Louise Peaks, the temp that HR sent along to act as the governor’s receptionist, who brags about never having held a job more than one day. And Michele McCawley just runs with Louise: High energy, pure confidence, and a certain swagger despite having absolutely no apparent qualifications for any job whatsoever! In the first act she is pure comic relief and McCawley knows what she’s all about. Overplaying the character is exactly what Peaks requires and that is just what McCawley delivers. There are no pratfalls here but there is a certain physical humor and humor built around mistakes and social miscues. But McCawley brings it all into high gear when she becomes the focus of Act II and LULU takes center stage. At this point Vance gives up on Newley as he’s found his new best worst politician. Shouldn’t say more on that, you need to see it. But McCawley knows her comedy and can play it big and bold and I imagine we’ll see her in more comedies here in the future.
And congrats to the scenic crew on setting us in a wholly believable gubernatorial office!
So, if the contemporary political environment leaves you a bit frustrated, take some time to find the humor in The Outsider and take that edge off!!! The Outsider runs at the Lake Country Playhouse in Hartland WI from now through Oct. 6th, 2024. More information and to order tickets, click here!
Music and Mystery Produce Magic In The MKE Rep’s ‘Prelude To A Kiss a musical’
At the end of last season I was about musical’d out so I cautiously approached the Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Milwaukee Repertory Theater’s opening musical. But not any longer, I am sold on Prelude To A Kiss!! This is a world premiere directed by Kenneth Ferrone. Prelude To A Kiss was developed in partnership with the South Coast Repertory and after being performed there is now being presented at the Rep.
With music by Daniel Messe and lyrics by Messe and Sean Hartley, writer Craig Lucas has adapted his play to a musical. And they have given us a bit of a gem in contemporary musicals. My favorite Rep musical since In The Heights. The story, briefly, features Peter who is searching for something, not quite sure what, and is ready to leave for environs unknown, until his best friend Taylor introduces him to a neighbor, Rita. And then all bets are off and we are transfixed by their whirlwind romance and easy assimilation into each others lives…until they get married…and the mystery begins.
And then comes the story telling. Lucas, Messe, and Hartley present a pretty straightforward attempt at documenting young and older love, its ins and outs and ups and downs, and the models we have for partnership and aging. The characters are clearly defined and fully rounded and we are drawn to each and everyone of them!! And the music follows suit. I really appreciated that few of the songs here are big production numbers where story gets lost or the lyrics are unclear or we seem to be going on a tangent that is good for spectacle while short on actual story. It really works as wonderful theater when you can watch and listen to couples or friends or other pairings as they converse directly in song and we were are able to savor every moment.
And the cast is simply marvelous and obviously are having fun working together. But of course the principals need some particular mention.
Caitlin Houlahan is amazing as Rita. Flirty and precocious (yes) and sexy and then later moody and withdrawn. But Houlahan has this confident stage presence that just draws you to her and then she sings with a voice you just want to hear in every song in the performance. I hope that she has the opportunity to return to the Rep in future productions. She was a favorite of mine and very obviously a favorite of the entire audience as well.
Peter is wonderfully worked out by Chris McCarrell. Peter moves through a number of conundrums, first so eagerly giving himself over to Rita just as he was set out to leave town and then trying to figure out her complete change in persona after they are married. Others try to convince him that marriage changes people but he has the fortitude to buck that trend and discover the truth…and then fix it! And McCarrell holds his own in song and brings out the best in Peter and the best in Houlahan as well.
And other favorites are James Moye as Rita’s dad and Karen Ziemba as her mother. They are professionals in their careers but free spirits in their personal lives…and you can feel where Rita gets her own independence. There is a banjo involved (but in Milwaukee an accordion might have been a reasonable substitute). And Keirsten Hodgens’ sarcastic but loving Angie, Rita’s best friend and co-worker is also a stand out performance here.
And a Milwaukee favorite, Jonathan Gillard Daly, makes a first act appearance as a strange unknown man at Rita’s and Peter’s wedding and sets the whole mystery plot in motion…and we later learn that he is Julius and will become an integral part of the happy ending that we all are hoping for.
And we mustn’t forget the orchestra. They are in residence on the second floor of the stage/apartment building and it is wonderful to have live accompaniment here. And the stage set at nearly three stories tall gives us some insight into why the downtown complex is being remodeled. I don’t think this set would have worked there as built.
Because of the extensive remodel of the Rep’s downtown theater complex, Prelude is being performed at the Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts in Brookfield, WI. It runs through October 19, 2024 and additional information and tickets can be found here. There is plenty of free parking at the center and it is warm and inviting and very comfortable!
