Darllings, you simply must shuffle off to MSU Summer Circle to see this swell show! Dames at Sea is a wonderful spoof of the feel-good musicals of the 30’s just brimming with style and talent, directed by Angie Wendelberger. A cast of six brings the energy of a cast of thousands, singing and dancing their way into our hearts with romance, jealousy, dreams of stardom, and the-show-must-go-on spirit.
DJ Shafer sparkles with youthful exuberance as the aspiring songwriter sailor, “Dick” falling instantly in love with the sweetheart from Centerville, “Ruby” (Jacqueline Lee) an angelic soon-to-be star. Dynamic diva “Mona” (Zaria Aikens) threatens to divide the lovebirds with her seductive star-making powers, and also makes Kevin Craig swoon as “The Captain” — (Kevin is also hilarious as the beleaguered director/producer “Hennessey.”) Darah Donaher is the super trooper “Joan," ever-ready to buck up the crestfallen — and the charming Cameron Michael Chase is her Donald O’Connor-esque sailor love interest, teaming up with DJ on some fun dances. (Thanks to props master Adam Ashlock for mops and umbrellas as dance partners.)
The tap dancing and Busby-Berkeley-inspired choreography was fun — and pretty non-stop as the sweet, campy dialogue bridged quickly from song to song. (Choreographer Alisa Hauser with assistant Christopher Michael). The small but mighty “orchestra” featured Spencer Eaton on percussion with Music Director Dave Wendelberger and Jeff English on their respective pianos (hilarious when DJ was “playing” piano onstage with dramatic flair.) Cute nostalgic costumes by Chantel Booker added flair and sparkle.
The set design by Bruce Bennett offered an artistically cartoonish battleship backdrop for the first act when they were in the 42nd Street theatre, which came down for act two revealing the battleship/stage. Bruce is also the “missing link” between this production and the first show ever produced at Riverwalk Theatre in 1989, where he also designed the set, on a Riverwalk stage that was barely finished by opening night. On Saturday, June 22 there will be a reunion of that Riverwalk Dames at Sea cast, with a pre-show Q & A. They will join the MSU cast for a rousing finale.
Dames at Sea is the final show of this year’s Summer Circle season, in the outdoor-stage setting behind the MSU Auditorium, on the corner of Farm Lane and Auditorium Road. It continues at 8pm Friday and Saturday and 4pm Sunday. Friday and Saturday will also feature a 10 pm performance of How to Make Friends and Then Kill Them - appropriate for adults only. (Dames at Sea, however, is fun and family friendly for older children.) Come early, bring lawn chairs, maybe a jacket and/or blanket and food. Summer Circle is a 59-year old treat for the Lansing community. http://theatre.msu.edu/index.php/productions/summer-circle-theatre