A classic Broadway comedy is set to bring the 1920s roaring back to the Finger Lakes.
Chet Susslin / The Citizen
Julie Cardia, (Lucille Early), looks on as David Edwards, (Jimmy Smith), and Joyce Nolen, (Sue Smith), kiss in a rehearsal of “No, No, Nanette” at the Westminster Presbyterian Church hall.
Julie Cardia, (Lucille Early), looks on as David Edwards, (Jimmy Smith), and Joyce Nolen, (Sue Smith), kiss in a rehearsal of “No, No, Nanette” at the Westminster Presbyterian Church hall.
The Merry-Go-Round Playhouse's 2009 season continues with “No, No, Nanette,” a musical first performed on Broadway in the 20s. The show is based on what has become a classic farcical setup. Jimmy Smith, a man who has made his fortune publishing Bibles, takes Nanette, his ward, to his cottage in Atlantic City, against his wife's wishes.
Smith's wife, Sue, meanwhile decides to visit the cottage with her friend Lucille, since their husbands are both out of town. Thrown into the mix are three young women whom Jimmy has supported financially and are growing hungry for more money. As one would expect, embarrassing situations abound, but all the fights and humiliation are magically repaired with a few fun musical numbers filled with impressive tap dancing.
Through this entire whirlwind of comedy, a love story blooms as well. The titular Nanette is in love with Tom Trainor, but has had a sheltered upbringing and wants to cut loose a little before she trades one beautiful, stable home for another.
“In her own words, she wants a little time off for good behavior,” said Becca Kloha, who plays Nanette in the Playhouse's production.
Kloha has played the role before, in a college production at Webster University. She loved the chance to get back in Nanette's tap shoes.
“My favorite roles are like this, these classical Broadway roles. She's a central character, but she also sings and dances,” Kloha said. “It isn't like I say my lines and then the chorus takes over.”
But how does a 21st-century actress identify with a character first brought to life more than 80 years ago?
“Her conflict, her story, is universal,” Kloha said. “She's deeply in love, but she also wants to experience life a little bit before settling down. Her entire life, people have been telling her what to do, how to act. She just wants to be treated like an adult.”
Identifying with Nanette should be easy for anyone who comes to the show.
“I relate to her a lot because I just got engaged myself,” Kloha explained. “But everyone can identify with her situation. She's young, she's in love. A lot of people have been through the same things she's experiencing.”
Ed Sayles, producing director of Merry-Go-Round, personally directs one show each season, and this year it is “No, No, Nanette.”
“It's an example of a classic that's been ignored, it has tremendous entertainment value for people,” Sayles said.
However, its status as an ignored classic may not last for long.
“There is a lot of talk about having a Broadway revival of the show,” Sayles said, “and we have the rights to it, so people from the area will get to see it first.”
The production is a true product of its era, and the best description of it is “big,” Sayles explained.
He continued, “It's a great comedy. There are lots of good dance numbers, big sets, big songs. Two of the classic Broadway songs, 'Tea for Two' and 'I Want to Be Happy,' are from this show. This is one of the great dance shows from the first half of the century that they made into movies.”
The talented cast that takes the stage in “No, No, Nanette” is one of the best parts of the show, according to Sayles and Hillary Ford, Merry-Go-Round's marketing associate.
“Half the cast is also in 'High School Musical,'” Ford said, “so it gets really crazy around here with rehearsal and then performances, but they are all great. The dancing is amazing.”
Jen Turey, the show's choreographer, is working hard to bring the big Broadway tap numbers to life.
“The two-week window doesn't really apply for Jen,” Ford said. “We hire people who are good dancers already, and she expects them to pick it up.” There is no doubt in Ed Sayles' mind that they will.
“The cast is great. We have an amazing mix of veterans and some great new talent,” he said.
When the curtain comes up, Sayles invites everyone to “forget your troubles, come out and get happy!”
If you go
What: “No, No, Nanette”
When: Premieres 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 22; show times vary through Aug. 13
Where: Merry-Go-Round Playhouse, Emerson Park, Route 38A, Owasco
Cost: Tickets $33 to $39
Info: Call 255-1785
Smith's wife, Sue, meanwhile decides to visit the cottage with her friend Lucille, since their husbands are both out of town. Thrown into the mix are three young women whom Jimmy has supported financially and are growing hungry for more money. As one would expect, embarrassing situations abound, but all the fights and humiliation are magically repaired with a few fun musical numbers filled with impressive tap dancing.
Through this entire whirlwind of comedy, a love story blooms as well. The titular Nanette is in love with Tom Trainor, but has had a sheltered upbringing and wants to cut loose a little before she trades one beautiful, stable home for another.
“In her own words, she wants a little time off for good behavior,” said Becca Kloha, who plays Nanette in the Playhouse's production.
Kloha has played the role before, in a college production at Webster University. She loved the chance to get back in Nanette's tap shoes.
“My favorite roles are like this, these classical Broadway roles. She's a central character, but she also sings and dances,” Kloha said. “It isn't like I say my lines and then the chorus takes over.”
But how does a 21st-century actress identify with a character first brought to life more than 80 years ago?
“Her conflict, her story, is universal,” Kloha said. “She's deeply in love, but she also wants to experience life a little bit before settling down. Her entire life, people have been telling her what to do, how to act. She just wants to be treated like an adult.”
Identifying with Nanette should be easy for anyone who comes to the show.
“I relate to her a lot because I just got engaged myself,” Kloha explained. “But everyone can identify with her situation. She's young, she's in love. A lot of people have been through the same things she's experiencing.”
Ed Sayles, producing director of Merry-Go-Round, personally directs one show each season, and this year it is “No, No, Nanette.”
“It's an example of a classic that's been ignored, it has tremendous entertainment value for people,” Sayles said.
However, its status as an ignored classic may not last for long.
“There is a lot of talk about having a Broadway revival of the show,” Sayles said, “and we have the rights to it, so people from the area will get to see it first.”
The production is a true product of its era, and the best description of it is “big,” Sayles explained.
He continued, “It's a great comedy. There are lots of good dance numbers, big sets, big songs. Two of the classic Broadway songs, 'Tea for Two' and 'I Want to Be Happy,' are from this show. This is one of the great dance shows from the first half of the century that they made into movies.”
The talented cast that takes the stage in “No, No, Nanette” is one of the best parts of the show, according to Sayles and Hillary Ford, Merry-Go-Round's marketing associate.
“Half the cast is also in 'High School Musical,'” Ford said, “so it gets really crazy around here with rehearsal and then performances, but they are all great. The dancing is amazing.”
Jen Turey, the show's choreographer, is working hard to bring the big Broadway tap numbers to life.
“The two-week window doesn't really apply for Jen,” Ford said. “We hire people who are good dancers already, and she expects them to pick it up.” There is no doubt in Ed Sayles' mind that they will.
“The cast is great. We have an amazing mix of veterans and some great new talent,” he said.
When the curtain comes up, Sayles invites everyone to “forget your troubles, come out and get happy!”
If you go
What: “No, No, Nanette”
When: Premieres 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 22; show times vary through Aug. 13
Where: Merry-Go-Round Playhouse, Emerson Park, Route 38A, Owasco
Cost: Tickets $33 to $39
Info: Call 255-1785
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