James Karas
Ross Petty is still at it. This time he fractures the story of Sleeping
Beauty and evokes laughter and sheer joy from an audience that is infectiously
enthusiastic. In fact there is a conspiracy between the stage and the
youngsters in the auditorium that raises the level of fun to wonderful heights.
Petty is listed as only the producer of Sleeping Beauty: The Deliriously Dreamy
Family Musical but one feels that the writer, director and the rest of
the artistic crew and cast are working under his inspiration and style or there
more than that?
Sleeping Beauty gives a wildly funny version of the fairy tale
with marvelously comic characters, rousing music, athletic dancing, colourful costumes
and stage effects that keep going at a relentless pace.
In the Kingdom of Torontonia whose skyline boasts a tower in the
background a Princess is born and is named Rose (AJ Bridel). The Princess receives
three blessings but also one curse from Malignicent (Hilary Farr). Boo! If she
pricks her finger, she will go to sleep. Nothing is left in the Kingdom that
could cause that except for the “turning table” which has a needle. Yikes.
Thank goodness, I mean, how terrible, that CDs have not been invented.
Let us meet the other important members of the story. A beautiful fairy
princess needs a tall, blond and handsome fairy prince, here called Luke, and
James Daly fits the bill even if singing is not his strongest asset.
What we need is broad comedy and we have two terrific comic talents.
Eddie Glenn as EGG (and Jacob Grimm) and Paul Constable as Sparklebum provide
inspired comedy. They can act, overact, goad the audience and do almost
anything with a focused aim: laughter.
Jeremy Diamond who wrote the book does not hesitate to bring current
events into the story. Donald Trump, Mike Pence, toll roads in Toronto and
hydro are just some of the subjects captured in the dialogue.
Michael Gianfrancesco’s sets and costumes are extravagantly colourful
and varied. Projection Designers Beth Kates and Ben Chaisson with Lighting
Designer Kimberly Purtell have to deal with storms, thunder, lightning and
numerous scene changes. They produce a kaleidoscope of wonders that keep young
and others admiring and applauding their work.
Director Tracey Flye drilled as much as directed the comic and musical
routines with meticulous care making everything look spontaneous.
Petty did not hesitate to include commercials during the show but those
too were amusing. And he did appear as Captain Hook in a brief video.
I brought Emily (“I’m going to be nine next March”), my Associate
Reviewer with me in order to capture the more subtle points of the production.
She was a most enthusiastic booer and cheerer with instant expressions of
disapproval or approval of the bad and good characters. She found the show
funny and the scenes in fairyland were her favourite.
Her final comment: “When are we coming back?”
_________
Sleeping Beauty:
The Deliriously Dreamy Family Musical continues until January 7, 2017 at the Elgin Theatre, 189 Yonge St. Toronto, Ontario. www.rosspetty.com
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