VILLANOVA THEATRE GIVES BIRTH TO A BEAUTIFUL "BABY".

Theater: Villanova Theatre
Show Title: BABY
Opened: February 12, 2008
Seen: February 15, 2008
Reviewer: Arnie Finkel
Submitted: February 17, 2008

Wow! It isn’t very often a theater-goer, let alone a reviewer, can sit back and let a production roll over him and enjoy every second of it. The Villanova production of BABY did just that for me.

The 25 year old musical gem is as meaningful and relevant as it was in 1983. Sybille Pearson’s book is the story of three couples on a college campus who all have issues with pregnancy. It follows the rollercoaster ride of the nine longest months in any family’s life. Danny and Liz are college sophomores who find themselves infantisipating. Arlene and Alan are in the same condition. They, however, are in their forties and have already raised their family and are now empty nesters—but not for long. Pam and Nick are in their 30’s and are trying hard to get pregnant.

The Shire and Maltby score has long been one of my favorites. David Shire and Richard Maltby write “story songs”. By that I mean the beautifully crafted numbers can be pulled out of the play and will stand on their own. The great quality of them is that they belong so well in the show and further the story line.

The cast is uniformly excellent. Janet McWilliams and Brian Kurtas as Lizzie and Danny were young and yearning, modern and motivated, appealing and absolutely wonderful. Kurtas did a super job on “I Chose Right” and McWilliams did justice to “The Story Goes On” (which is really the point of the show).

Sheila Egan as Arlene and Andy Joos as Alan were adult and adept, confused and concerned, resigned and really terrific. Joos did very well with “Easier To Love” and Egan did a superior job on the difficult number “Patterns”.

Rachel Ann Stephan and Charles Illingworth IV as Pam and Nick were athletic and attractive, resolute and romantic, personable and perfectly cast. They wrung every possible nuance out of “Romance I II and III.

The 10 person ensemble was incredible. Their harmonies and bit parts added immeasurably to the total effect.

Director Peter Reynolds did a fantastic job. He moved the cast around the thrust stage through a multi-scene script with seamless movement. He had the sense and acumen to give ensemble member a complete and definite character. Reynolds set the pace so well that the longish first act went by before you noticed it was over.

Choreographer Karen Getz devised movements that were so right it seemed that they just grew out of the numbers. I was particularly struck with “I Want It All” and “The Fatherhood Blues”.

Music Director John Daniels had sure control over the very good 8 piece orchestra. Scenic Designer Yoshinori Tanokura’s sliding sections and unit pieces kept the show moving. I don’t know whether it was his idea or Peter Reynolds’ to have the ensemble move the pieces in a sort of choreographed flow, but whoever did it, it works.

Costume Designer Janus Stafanowicz had a ball recreating the eighties. Lighting designer Jerold R Forsyth and Lighting Designer Jeffery Wuollet both added their fine touches to the magic.

So—Get thee off thy keister and go see BABY. You will love it! BABY will be presented at the Villanova Theater until March 2nd.