Review: Allen Contemporary Theatre's CURTAINS is two wildly amusing shows in one!

Curtains: A Musical Whodunnit

Music by John Kander
Book by Rupert Holmes
Lyrics by Fred Ebb
Original Book/Concept by Peter Stone
Directed by Laura Jennings 
Musical Director Jared Duncan

Audience Rating: PG13- adult language, adult situations
Running Time: 2.5 hours with a 15 minute intermission
Accessible Seating: Available, call or email ahead of time
Hearing Devices: Not Available
Sensory Friendly Showing: Not Available
ASL Showing: Not Available
Volume Level: Comfortable volume level
Noises/Visuals to Prepare For: gunshots, language, innuendos

Reviewed by Teri Williams

Hey Hey Hey, get a load of this! The Cambridge Patriot, er Dallas Theatre Journal, says “considering the talent and experience” of this show, Curtains at Allen Contemporary Theatre is sure to be a huge “local” smash! Catchy music, flashy dancing and murders to solve is solid entertainment. Curtains is a show within a show about show people who like to put on a show. Whew! And what a show this theater gives! The story of Curtains is appealing to those who are theatrical and those who just enjoy attending a musical murder mystery comedy guaranteed to provide laughs. Curtains puts the audience in a local Boston theater in 1959- the troupe is looking to put on “Robbin Hood” the musical which is set in Kansas, USA (think parody of the classic Oklahoma!) 

Director Laura Jennings is a talented show person herself and she brings her expertise to the full spotlight for this production. She put together a cohesive force of creative and technical talent with Music Director Jared Duncan, Dance Choreographer Becca Tischer, Costume Designer Alison Schonoff and all the other skillful crew necessary to light, build and stage this vibrant show. 

With the musical Curtains, we get a sizable cast/ensemble and with this particular group, the talent was abundant. Each and every person continually brought the contagious energy with dancing, singing, and SO. MUCH. IN. UNISON. GASPING! As an audience, we are following a multitude of story lines and relationships.

The dynamics between composer Aaron Fox (Blake Rice) and lyricist Georgia Hendricks (Shea McMillan) is a beautiful example of bringing together talented souls who were cast perfectly in their roles. McMillan plays both timid and powerhouse with a moving force. Rice is adorably genuine and was made to sing the ballad “I Miss the Music” -so stunning. I believe Kander himself would have been moved to tears. 

Since there was a murder, we need a detective, and luckily we have the talented individual Eddy Herring in the role of Lieutenant Frank Cioffi. Herring portrays Cioffi as the goofy, awkward guy we just want to befriend. Herring, clearly a talented comedic actor, drops one liner zings with appeal. Niki Harris played endearingly by Emily Fabrega would wholeheartedly agree. 

While other people are dying, falling in love and dancing, the producers are trying to keep this musical thriving. Actors Amy Fosters Parsons (as Carmen Bernstein) and Beau Dameron (as Oscar Shapiro) hilariously entertain us throughout with their more mature humor and superb practicalities. 

At the helm of this “Robbin Hood” production is director Christopher Belling, performed by Mario Estep who gives an absolute masterclass in committing to character. Estep is marvelous from head to toe, entrance to exit. Oftentimes the audience would start laughing before he would deliver the line because he was just that splendid. What a pleasure to witness him in this role. 

Notably, actors Braden Chavers (Randy), Brendan Tetter (Harv), Katie O’Brien (Bambi) and Jennifer Grace (Jenny Harmon), Michael McMillan (Bobby Pepper) and Alex Castle (Dary Grady) and Tara Bryant (Jessica Crenshaw) were fantastically entertaining as well. Everywhere you looked on that stage, you would find engaging show people who were right where they should be! 

Often a show is a one and done, but for this stunning spectacle of Curtains at ACT, I would be delighted to see it again and again. Curtains runs through July 13th at Allen Contemporary Theatre.

To The Stage, 

Teri Lynn Williams