Reviewed by Tony Annicone
Walpole Footlighters last show of their 94th season is “Lucky Stiff” by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty which is based on “The Man Who Broke the Bank at Monte Carlo” by Michael Butterworth. This musical is a zany, offbeat and funny, murder mystery farce about an unassuming English shoe salesman who is forced to take the corpse of his recently murdered Atlantic City gambler uncle on a week long cruise to Monte Carlo. Should he succeed Harry Witherspoon stands to inherit six million dollars. If he doesn’t succeed the money would go to the Universal Dog Home of Brooklyn. The proceedings are sheer lunacy as Harry comes up against his uncle’s insanely jealous and legally blind mistress, her much put-upon optometrist brother and Annabel Glick, an overly zealous representative from the Universal Dog Home determined to see Harry’s money “go to the dogs.” The show is directed by Dan Delaporta who infuses his cast with high energy with marvelous musical direction by Dan Moore and some inventive and fun choreography by Lisa Kelliher. Their combined efforts leave you rolling in the aisles with laughter.
Dan gives his cast some clever shtick to perform. The best harmonies are in “Him, Them, It Her.” The group dance numbers are enthralling. The three of them are “Something’s Funny Going On”, “A Day on the Town” and “Good to Be Alive.” Since it is a mystery, I won’t be able to give away many details and the outcome of the events that audience just witnessed. Francis Sheehan is excellent as the nephew Harry who is a bumbling nerd. He has a terrific British accent and sells his songs “Lucky” where he’s happy to try to gain his uncle’s money, “A Woman in My Bathroom”, where he mulls over having a crush on Annabel as well as his two duets with her called “Dog Vs. You” and “Nice” after they drink a bottle of Dom Perignon. Emily Murray is also fantastic as the dog loving Annabel. She really puts Harry in his place in their first duet but seemingly melts a little bit after drinking some Champagne. Annabel also becomes jealous of Harry and Dominque’s attraction at the nightclub, when she sings the poignant number “Times Like This” when she reminisces about only being able to trust dogs not men.
The obnoxious Rita from Brooklyn is well played by the scene stealing Elaine Sheffield-Bono. Her near sighted wacky broad is very funny as she waves her gun at everyone while singing “Rita’s Confession” and her song and dance “Fancy Meeting You Here” with the corpse is hysterical. Her hen pecked brother, Vinnie is well played by Gary Ciambrone. He sings “Phone Call” to his overbearing wife on the phone and has many sight gags with Rita in the show.. Robert Grady is a hoot as the over the top Luigi Gaudi who has many a secret to hide. His strong voice is heard in “Good to Be Alive” with Harry when he tells him about his uncle’s demise and also sings “Confession” with Rita near the end of the show. Dominque is well played by Caroline Phinney. She puts the moves on Harry and Vinnie with comic results. She sings “Speaking French” in the nightclub scene.
The Emcee is well played by George Motley. He sings the catchy tune “Monte Carlo” and he and the company sing and dance to “It’s Good to Be Alive.” The landlady who is a bitch on wheels is played wonderfully by Julianna Small. The money grubbing bell hop is well played by Michael Allison who keeps hanging around to be tipped by Harry. Ben Medeiros plays the dead uncle who in a dream sequence does a tora while the company does a kick line during “Welcome Back Mr. Witherspoon” which leaves the audience in stitches. So for a funny, farcical musical mystery, be sure to catch “Lucky Stiff” by Walpole Footlighters. It will definitely keep you guessing whodunnit as well as keep you laughing all night long.
LUCKY STIFF (4 to 20 May)
Walpole Footlighters, 2 Scout Road, East Walpole, MA
1(508)668-8446 or www.footlighters.com
