"Yes!Yes! A thousand times Yes!"
Those of you who have never seen a melodrama, seldom done these days, need to get yourselves to Riverwalk Theatre over the next two weekends. Director Sue Chmurynsky and her talented cast have put together a delightful production of LILY THE FELON'S DAUGHTER at Riverwalk Theatre.
From the curtain speech to the curtain call, there was no question everyone was having a great time. Booing, hissing, a few amusing suggestions from audience members, dramatic music and an odd chase scene all contributed to the merry mayhem.
The costuming (Kris Maier) was spot on, the set, at least for Act One, ditto. This writer worked Concessions at intermission but I understand the set change was very clever (staged and directed by Carol Ferris).
All of the actors were entertaining and engaging but my favorites were Jim Coyer as the villain Craven Sinclair (boo!) and Cody Skalmowski as Lord Monty (Raw-ther!) Joe Clark as Compton Fairweather, the sort-of-romantic lead, was most invested in the melodramatic acting style and reminded me of a young Gene Wilder and Monica Holland as Lily was charming. It was especially enjoyable seeing so many new-to-the-RWT-stage actors.
Melodramas are an art form originating in the 18th century, reaching their height of popularity in the mid to late 1800s. Done well, they are terrific fun - short on plot perhaps but long on eccentric characters. LILY is precisely that. Take the whole family - a good time will be had by all. But don't buy the little dog.
Jan Lockwood