“Sweet Charity” redux at the Knightsbridge Theatre

 

RETURN OF THE FOSSE/VERDON MAGIC

The team of Bob Fossee and Gwen Verdon collaborated on a number of shows during their relationship but Sweet Charity remains the most celebrated and is presently being revived at the Knightsbridge Theatre inLos Angelesfor all to see.  However, this is the last weekend and the hope is that it will be extended as long as it continues to garner the audiences that were in evidence when I saw it a week ago.

I had the good fortune to see the original production on Broadway in the mid sixties and it was obvious that a long run lay ahead.  Many people forget the fact that the original book was by Neil Simon, soon to be much better known There have been a number of revivals over the years, one of the latest with Molly Ringwald in the lead at the Pantages Theatre several years ago.

The production being currently offered does not back down one iota from retaining the spirit of the original.  It is a spicy, sensuous and completely uninhibited show.  Brooke Seguin takes over as Charity with a great figure and just enough spunk to more than make things happen.  Credit also has to go to Adam Silver for bringing to life the Oscar Lindquist role and Ben Goldsmith as the superbly oily Vittorio Vidal.  Stand out numbers include the Big Spender rendition in which the girls literally hover over the audience doing their thing and, of course, the Rich Man Frug which only Bob Fosse could have concocted and which brings the house down with it’s celebration of the 60’s dance craze.

Everyone involved is totally equipped to fill the bill, even with a small stage and a virtually non existent set.

Let is not forget also the musical direction by James Lent which kept the whole proceeding going with just the right pace.  Tania Possick did the choreography and the direction was by Robert Marra.

Performances are Friday and Saturday at 8:00 PM and Sundays at 3:00 PM.

1944 Riverside Drive……www.secondlineproductions.com….323.667.0955

BOB TINSLEY

eeworldnews.com

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