Simple Little Things

110 in the Shade – BoHo Theatre

 

If you’re going to adapt a popular, romantic comedy into a musical, who better to write the book than the playwright who penned the original play? N. Richard Nash took his much beloved 1954 play and, working with composer Harvey Schmidt and lyricist Tom Jones (“The Fantasticks,” “ I Do, I Do”), fashioned an old-fashioned musical that spoke to the hearts of sophisticated New York audiences over fifty years ago. Although it didn’t win, when the show premiered on Broadway in 1964, the production was nominated for four Tony Awards. Later, in a 2007 revival that starred Audra McDonald, the musical was once more nominated for several Tony Awards. Despite not winning again, the show ended up winning the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actress and Outstanding Revival of a Musical.

In BoHo Theatre’s modest production, the tuneful score and the simple love story behind this musical once again brims with innocence, sincerity and heart. Set in a simpler time, the story takes place somewhere in the heartland, where life revolves around raising cattle and crops. As in The Grapes of Wrath, the harvest is drying up and the livestock are dying because the country has been ravaged by a drought. H.C. Curry, his sons Noah and Jimmy and his unmarried daughter Lizzie are doing everything they can to survive, without the much-needed rain.

Into the lives of the Curry family rides a con-man named Bill Starbuck. This fast-talking flimflammer makes his living by traveling around the country, selling hope to desperate families, promising whatever they may need. Charging a hundred dollars, Starbuck guarantees to bring a deluge to the parched farming community: all the folks have to do is believe in him. Ironically, Lizzie is suffering her own personal drought, having reconciled to spending the rest of her life as a lonely spinster. She’s tried to break through the tough exterior of the local sheriff, a potential love interest and a cautious divorcee who’s reluctant to make the same mistake twice. Starbuck ends up bringing hope and romance into the lives of Lizzie, File, her brothers and her father.

Skillfully directed by Peter Marston Sullivan, his final project as BoHo’s Artistic Director, the show radiates with homey warmth and honesty. After so many supporting roles, talented actor/singer Neala Barron finally gets to dazzle Chicago audiences in a leading role. It’s a part she was simply born to play and Ms. Barron makes the most of every line and lyric. Her gifted voice raises to the rafters in songs like “Love, Don’t Turn Away,” “Old Maid,” the humorous “Raunchy” and the lovely, eloquent, “Simple Little Things.”

Ms. Barron shares the stage with handsome Tommy Thurston, as Starbuck. Mr. Thurston has also impressed around Chicago in several supporting roles, including the Professor in Pride Films & Plays’ production of “Yank,” as well as the Painter in “Amour,” by Black Button Eyes Productions. Here, at last, Tommy gets to play the leading man and, as this dreaming wheeler-dealer, Mr. Thurston is both commanding and believable. He enchants the audience with numbers like “The Rain Song,” “Evenin’ Star” and “Melisande.” As File, Lizzie’s wary love interest and the hard-nosed local sheriff, talented, good-looking Denzel Tsopnang brings a macho gravitas to his role, along with a well-rounded baritone voice. His duet with Lizzie, “A Man and a Woman,” hits all the right notes, and he adds some unexpected comedy to the “Poker Polka.”

As the men of the Curry family, Christopher Ratliff, who audiences have enjoyed in TATC’s productions of “It’s a Wonderful Life” and “Forever Plaid,” is a standout here as younger brother, Jimmy. He brings a freshness and a simple naivete to the role of the kid who’s always being told that he’s stupid. He wins over theatergoers with his earnest character and lilting duet, “Little Red Hat,” shared with a sweetly winsome Mariah Copeland, as his girlfriend Sookie. One of Chicago’s finest and most versatile actor/singers, Billy Dawson, lends his mellow tones to the ensemble numbers, playing hard-edged rationalist, Noah Curry. As the elder brother running the ranch, Noah feels he should also be in charge of managing the family, as well. He views his father, H.C. (nicely played with humor and paternal affection by Peter Robel), as an ineffectual head of household, a man who’s afraid to tell his daughter the truth about her future.

Peter Marston Sullivan’s swan song as BoHo’s Artistic Director will be remembered for all the warmth and wholeheartedness he’s brought to this wonderful production. Ably assisted by Ellen K. Morris’s musical direction, with Andrea Swanson’s perfectly conducted backstage orchestra, and some spirited choreography from Aubrey Adams, BoHo Theatre closes its 2018 season on a high note that offers hope and promise for next year’s theatrical offerings.

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas   

         

Presented October 28-December 16 by BoHo Theatre at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont, Chicago.

Tickets are available in person at the box office, by calling 773-975-8150 or by going to www.BoHoTheatre.com.

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com.