We meet the dolls in a doll house
in an attic (set design and construction by Tim Chadwick, James Cooper,
and George J. Vennes III) where they do come to life. These are favorite
dolls of the past; Marguerite the Victorian doll, who unfortunately has a
crack on her face (Serena Dolinsky), Trixter the medicine doll (Jessica
Erin Bennett), the graceful Valentina Ballerina music box dancer (Nancy
Dobbs Owens), handsome Lieutenant Larry toy soldier (Garett Stevens),
Fussy Fanny fashion doll (Melissa Gentry), exotic Papusza the fortune
teller (Troy Titus-Adams), Just Plain Katy, the rag doll (Annie Mackay),
Babette the baby doll (Evelyn Rudie) , and the Marionette Gigoletto (Chris
DeCarlo.
Each of the dolls has its own
story to relate and, lo and behold, their problems are not too different
from those that inflict humans. There is a love story involved, but as the
title suggests, "not your usual love story!"
Chris DeCarlo directs this
company of performers who all bespeak a talent for acting as well as for
singing. Rudie's and Wrather's music and words cleverly fit into the
subject matter. As is usual with the Santa Monica Playhouse, they offer a
completely innovative and original production that is very entertaining.
Dolls - NotYour Usual Love
Story opens part II of the Santa Monica Playhouse's 50th Anniversary
Festival of Theatre. It will play Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 PM and
Sundays at 5:30 PM, through September 25, 2011. Advanced reservations are
required and are available by calling the Playhouse box office at (310)
394-9779, ext. 1. For further information , go online at
www.SantaMonicaPlayhouse.com
.
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