California State University, Long Beach
Daily Forty-Niner
Feb. 12, 2003
Classic Musical dazzles audiences
By Jill Thomsen
"Me and My Girl" is quite simply an old-fashioned musical delight.
This Musical Theatre West production is the story of a 1930's cockney lad who inherits a fortune and must prove himself to be "An English Gentlemen" before he can get his hands on the money. To complicate matters the new aunt Duchess in his life feels his fiance is unsuitable for his new title as well.
Will Bill Snibson and Sally Smith from Lambeth, London manage to become the Earl and "Earless" of Hereford? It's a treat to sit through almost three hours of wonderful singing and dancing to find out.
A strong dancing chorus and beautiful period costumes make the big numbers sparkle, including the show stopping first act closer "The Lambeth Walk." During the musical's original run in London, the tune became a classic used for everything from King George's 1937 coronation to a World War II military march.
Wayne Bryan steps into the role of Snibson with assured ease, managing to juggle tough physical comedy antics, deep introspection and some of the corniest dialogue to ever come out of a play book. One classic exchange: "What about those two bags over there?" Bill's response? "Oh, they live here."
Which is not to say that the jokes are bad. In fact, they make the musical what it is „ a charming throwback to the days when a hearing impaired grandfather figure who never quite understands anything and says "eh?" repeatedly is comedy gold.
Bets Malone is superb as the fragile yet strong-willed Sally. A perfect cockney accent and a beautiful singing voice help us realize why William will always love "his girl." Smith and Snibson's tap dancing during the title number is technically flawless and perfectly in sync - much like their characters and acting styles.
Hamming it up splendidly as the Snibson-stealing Lady Jacqueline Carstone, Tracy Lore has plenty of fun trying to draw Bill into her world of croquet and Kipling. Bill's response? "I've never been kippled."
The supporting cast is admirable, most notably Lenny Wolpe as the family solicitor, who must have simply thrown out all vestiges of pride before taking on the role. The result is to the audience's benefit.
Also including the classic numbers "Take it on the Chin" and "Leaning on a Lamppost," the production is led by the Castellano brothers, with Roger directing and choreographing, and Dennis serving as musical director. "Me and My Girl" runs through Feb. 23 at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center.
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