Sweet Charity an evening of great performances.
Erin Burgess takes on the role of Charity in the Scarborough Music Theatre's production of Sweet Charity.
Photo/RAPH NOGAL
Nothing says 'I don't love you' more than a man who pushes you into the lake and then steals your purse.
But that doesn't stop Charity Hope Valentine from looking for Mr. Right despite being burned by many Mr. Wrongs in Scarborough Music Theatre's latest show, Sweet Charity.
Based on a book by Neil Simon, with music by Cy Coleman and lyrics by Dorothy Fields, this musical isn't an easy one to describe and has a reputation for being one that you either really like, or dislike.
However, there were many likeable components and impressive performances in this show that took audiences back to the trippy 1960s in New York City, complete with an elaborate technicolour city scene as the backdrop for this show.
Charity (Erin Burgess) is a hopeless romantic in a hopeless situation. She has just been dumped by yet another man who left her to drown in the lake. A dancehall hostess, her job leaves little to be desired as she chats and dances with men for money.
The Fan-Dango Ballroom is filled with girls like Helene and Nicki (Jill McMillan, Kristi Woods) who, much like Charity, also want to meet a nice guy and get out of the dancehall business as shown in one of the show's signature number's Big Spender.
As luck has it, Charity ends up meeting movie star Vittorio Videl (Andrew Mitchell), and after dinner at the swanky Pompeii Club convinces him to take her home to his apartment.
This is where Burgess as Charity shines as she sings If My Friends Could See Me Now. She is energetic, charming and sings and dances like no one is watching. But this is where you lose a bit of sympathy for Charity because she is always throwing herself at men who are unavailable and complaining when her efforts fail.
In one of the funnier scenes of the show, Charity, in an effort to branch out socially, goes to the YMCA to take a class and it's here where she gets stuck in an elevator with Oscar (Trevor Cartlidge), an awkward man whose claustrophobia is overcome with Charity's optimism.
This leads to a first date, but just as we think Charity is finally going to get her happy ending, the fates have other ideas in mind and the road to happiness is bumpy, to say the least.
The theme in this show is looking for more outside your present life. McMillan and Woods as Helene and Nicki are good examples of this in their amazingly moving duet Baby Dream Your Dream.
This show was a bit confusing because there were phenomenal performances and really funny moments, but yet something was off. This leads me to believe it's the actual story itself that's outdated and a bit out there.
For example, when Charity and Oscar visit the Rhythm of Life Church it's filled with hippies singing praise to their messiah Daddy (also played by Mitchell). While the number Rhythm of Life was well sung and performed, it was an odd, misplaced number.
Nonetheless, Burgess was the perfect choice to play Charity and she truly gave it her all, with a genuine smile and energy to match throughout the show. Mitchell also did an impressive job playing the dual roles of Vittorio and Daddy, and Cartlidge's mannerisms and expressions were responsible for many laughs as Oscar.
While this show's story may not be to everyone's taste, it does provide an entertaining evening of singing, dancing and great performances.
Sweet Charity's remaining shows are May 13 to 15; May 20 and 21 at 8 p.m. with Matinees on May 16 and 22 at 2 p.m. Scarborough Village Theatre, 3600 Kingston Rd. Tickets: $24 and $20 for seniors and students on Thursdays and Sundays only. For tickets, call 416-267-9292.