Campy, quirky, ridiculous, stupefying, laugh-out-loud humorous: Name it what you'll, Los Altos Stage Firm’s manufacturing of “Ruthless” will depart you breathless with laughter. Its run ends Sunday.
Billed as a musical comedy, “Ruthless” undoubtedly curled its tenacles round final Saturday evening’s viewers, a lot of whom gave it a standing ovation.
Whereas sweet-looking Penelope DaSilva as 10-year-old Tina Denmark at first appears to be the lead character, it’s a commandingly proficient Clara Walker as her mom Judy Denmark who grabs honors right here for scene-stealing, mugging, divinely overacting and carrying the brunt of the present.
However there’s a heap of manufacturing individuals who additionally deserve credit score for giving Walker the chutzpa, the costumes, the course to take over the present.
LASC’s affiliate inventive director Gary Ferguson took on the directing position for “Ruthless,” and proves how robust course could make a mediocre script a lot better.
Costumer designer Issac Sales space will get a number of huzzahs for creating the Judy Denmark outfit worn in Act 1. By no means has an outfit so embodied the time period “little homemaker” as Walker’s crinoline-layered costume, apron and big white pearl necklace. And never one hair on her wig strikes as Walker dances, twirls and picks up one thing from her completely manicured house.
Sales space additionally deserves credit score for the outfits worn by DaSilva, every one assured to make Tina appear like the candy, harmless third-grader she just isn't. His intelligent creations additionally allow Nathan Anthony Belara to appear like a svelte, refined Sylvia St. Croix, replete with beautiful satin robes, an extended cigarette holder, cumbersome gold jewellery and heels.
Belara is remarkably convincing because the dodgy, overbearing agent who sees actual expertise in Tina and desires to groom her for a life on stage.
However when Belara sings, it’s nearly akin to listening to cats caterwauling. He’s steadily off key, one of many few shortcomings of this manufacturing. (To be truthful, a number of the songs in “Ruthless” are hackneyed and boring.)
The 4 remaining actors sail together with flying colours, most particularly Milan Whitfield, who goes from taking part in third-grader Louise in Act 1 to Eve, a classy government assistant after intermission. Additionally robust are Sara Kuenstler as Tina’s put-upon instructor who likes to tipple, and one other tippler, Tina’s grandmother Lita, performed by Darlene Batchelder carrying a slightly ill-fitting wig and hat.
The final forged member, Randall Watts, who doubles because the musical director and performs the piano all through “Ruthless,” additionally performs, as he explains, “all the opposite characters on this present.” Watts has a superb humorousness that comes by at acceptable moments.
It’s fairly tough to clarify the plot, most of which is nonsensical. But it surely helps in Act 1 to know that Tina is decided to play the lead position in her college manufacturing of “Pippi in Tahiti.” She’s definitely proficient sufficient, however her classmate Louise has rich dad and mom who've supplied to underwrite the play if their less-than-talented daughter will get the lead.
Tina is chosen as understudy, so her conniving little mind causes that if one thing occurs to Louise, the understudy will go on.
Clearly, nobody will accuse “Ruthless” of being practical, however it is rather, very humorous.
Govt inventive director Gary Landis created the versatile scenic design for “Ruthless,” which largely takes place within the Fifties front room of the Denmarks. It appears odd that each one the walks, doorways and home windows within the house are on a slant, however which may be a delicate approach of claiming that the plot is, too. Kevin Davies deserves credit score for constructing the set, and ditto Erica Racz for props.
“Ruthless” is carried out at Bus Barn Theater in Los Altos. Tickets are $20-$40 at www.losaltosstage.org or 650-941-0551. Performances are Wednesday-Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m.