© Los Angeles Times
Feb. 27, 1976
'Most Happy Fella' at Long Beach
by Lawrence Christon
Besides a good book and score and the staple production elements of
choreography, costuming, etc., what constitutes the superior musical?
One answer might be: sensitivity to character. Frank Loesser's "The
Most Happy Fella", currently a Long Beach Civic Light Opera offering,
dramatizes a man's doubts and fears without sacrificing the
brightness and romantic warmth that has tended to characterize the
American musical.
This is a work that takes advantage of the expressive Italian character,
with its easy operatic transports. It almost seems a natural thing for
Napa Valley ranch owner Tony to be breaking into song and for everyone
under him to bask in his patriarchal bonhomie. But privately he's
frightened of aging without love, without an heir.
The attendance of his gimlet-eyed sister only reinforces his
sense of desiccation. His fear of seeming a ridiculous old
man prompts him to send a picture of his handsome foreman Joe to
that pretty waitress in the city with the offer of marriage. She
responds, but that deception has set off a series of grievous events
that isn't resolved until a near-bitter end.
Based on Sidney Howard's "They Knew What They Wanted", this is a
ripe, big-hearted musical that gets a jubilant, full-bodied
treatment from the LBCLO. This production is flawed, certainly.
Victoria Mallory as Rosabella, the mail order bride, is a
marble-cool conservatory soprano (definitely no hasher)
and there's nothing but dead, stagey air between her and Michael
Quinn, whose portrayal of Tony, though warm and well-sung, is
dramatically a little thin. Lowell Harris as Joe is indeed the
kind of stud a woman will look at and know she's in immediate
trouble, but he tends to play the role with narcissistic vacancy.
Everything else is done con brio. There is a large, vigorous
ensemble, exceptionally well choreographed by Dom Salinaro.
There are excellent costumes (by Jim LaRue), a fine set
(uncredited) and first-rate lighting design (Kim Killingsworth).
Kelly Britt as the companion waitress Cleo is a prodigiously
gifted actress, a big stage presence who seems to perform for
the sheer ecstasy of it; and Wayne Bryan as Herman, the amiable
ranchhand, is a quick, energetic, engaging figure. Together
they bring us that most precious of theatrical experiences:
cheistry between characters. Gary David directed. Jordan
Auditorium, 6500 Atlantic, Long Beach. 432-7926. Fridays and
Saturdays at 8:30pm, Sundays at 2:30pm. Closes March 7.
Back to The Most Happy Fella page.
