Tag: Theo Ubique
A Season of Love
Rent – Theo Ubique
With more than 50 shows and 40 Jeff Awards to their credit, Theo Ubique’s highly respected professional theatre
Read More‘Pump Boys and Dinettes’ Country and Coffee with Theo Ubique
By Devlyn Camp
The No Exit Café has that simple, relaxing atmosphere that is always nice to find in a local coffee shop or diner. Riding on that, Theo Ubique has opened Pump Boys and Dinettes, a country rock musical that played on Broadway in the early 1980s. The show is more of a revue, playing character tunes marked with one-liners and short scenes between. In a ‘50s style, the two Double Cupp Diner waitresses serve the audience and sing along with the boys next door, who work in the Pump Boys garage.
The pianist/actor/music director Jim DeSelm cues the heartthrob in his solo song “Serve Yourself” and continues to impress in later songs. Aside from DeSelm, other musicians typically stand in the background, ignoring their character, playing through the song without any sort of passion. While Dinettes dance, half the band of characters wait for their solo numbers to spark any of their own excitement.
The two diner girls carry most of the show’s energy, using their kitchen utensils as instruments and providing the most entertaining numbers. Danni Smith constantly excites with a heavy, strong voice, especially in the Double Cupp duo’s sexy and funny number “Tips.” Overall, the diner show lacks a certain energy and feels flat throughout, with small glimmers of fun. Above any problems, though, there are strong, bright vocals in even the dullest of numbers. While the characters may seem commonplace to folks of more southern states (like myself), it is still quite charming for all these city dwellers.
PUMP BOYS AND DINETTES
Theo Ubique at No Exit Café
Through January 15, 2012
Tickets $29-34 (optional dinner to add)
Available at theo-u.org
Christina Hall and Danni Smith, photo courtesy David Heimann
Contact critic at devlynmc@yahoo.com
"Starting Here, Starting Now" at Theo Ubique
By Devlyn Camp
Theo Ubique at No Exit Café is currently presenting a vibrant cabaret performance of Starting Here, Starting Now.
The Richard Maltby, Jr. and David Shire story-song show takes on a 1970s atmosphere, right at home as a show first produced in ’76. The three-person show about various forms of love is set around a single bed where they charmingly disco and try to entreat each other for attention. Hillary Patingre is particularly charming. She’s quite funny and quirky, and completely capturing in her solo “Autumn.” Equally entertaining, Stephanie Herman is a total joy. She’s confident, silly and smart.
The second act is made up of more meaningful solo numbers, still focused around stories and love. The wonderful performances, and fantastic directing by Fred Anzevino, prove that the best kind of theatre is non-spectacle theatre. While no judgment is held against the big glittering Broadway smashes headed into town, the little cabarets like Theo keep us aware of what really matters.
STARTING HERE, STARTING NOW
Theo Ubique at No Exit Café
Now through November 6th
Tickets $25-30, available at theoubique.org
or call (800) 595-4849
Contact critic at devlynmc@yahoo.com
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