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Hernando Today

Magical musical rocks Show Palace

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By MARSHA REINIERS

Hernando Today correspondent

Published: June 11, 2009

Updated: 06/12/2009 01:29 pm

Exuberantly fresh and tenderly sweet, "This Magic Moment" now playing at Show Palace Dinner Theatre in Hudson, conceived by Matthew McGee and Michael Ursua, is stunning. McGee and Ursua seem to have a knack for knowing exactly which fabulous songs from the '50s and '60s would best tell the story of these four old high school chums who meet at their 25th high school reunion, and ultimately have their wish fulfilled to be transported back to their high school prom, where they have the chance to take their lives in a different direction, with possibly a different outcome. A "stellar event that shifts space and time" allows them to do just that as a high intensity lightening storm jolts them back to their prom. We are jolted back in time with them, as we begin to experience the magic of this wonderful show.

From the first beautiful note of "Earth Angel," sung by Nathan Bostick Jr. we know that this will be an evening to remember. Steaming hot with gorgeous harmonies and intricate notes tightly woven together, with multiple key changes within Ursua's medley arrangements; this musical includes 42 of our favorite songs from this era. Considering Show Palace had three weeks of rehearsals — it makes you wonder how the cast ever memorized not only the songs, but the intricate harmonies, as well as Katie Kerwin's beautifully choreographed dance movements. The live band with Ursua at the piano, Gary L. Rohe on drums, and Irving Goldberg on Bass, only adds to the show, making the music really pop.

McGee hit the jackpot with this cast. They couldn't be better. The four leads, played by Allan Baker (Allan), Patti Eyler (Patti), Eric Jon Mahlum (Eric), and Laura Lynne Tapper (Laura), have great chemistry together. Eric and Laura are the squabbling couple who married right out of high school. The beautiful couple — he was the star quarter back — she was Captain of the Cheerleading squad — are the stereotypical Prom King and Queen. Laura's best friend, Patti is the steady, bookish type who stayed in her hometown, teaching at the high school, and never married or ventured outside her comfort zone. Allan, as the former President of the Chess Club, is the quintessential nerdy type. The stuffy high school principal, Mr. Nelson, is brilliantly played by Derek Baxter. Melissa Nay is simply delightful as the cheerful, but rather straight laced choir director, Miss Melody Marshall.

Other cast members include Bostick, who sings "Teenager in Love," Tim Olivar, who shines in "Sixteen Candles," Casey Shea, and Elissa Stone. Allan is too shy to say it in person, but he dreams of his unfulfilled love as he sings "Secret Love" to Patti. Every actor shines in "This Magic Moment." The musical highlight of Act I was Ursua's uniquely arranged Roy Orbison classic, "Crying," sung hauntingly by Laura, with Eric giving a heartfelt tender rendition of "Unchained Melody." McGee's tender story reminds us that sometimes we can't see what is right in front of our face as Laura sings "A World Without Love." Eric's strong voice gets harmonic backup from the guys in "Only You."

Baxter forgets his stuffy principal side as he lets loose with an exciting "Great Balls of Fire," which then leads into the full cast belting out a energetic medley rendition of "Let the Good Times Roll," "Shooby Do," and Chiquita Banana," as they combine dance moves like the Swim and the Chicken.

As Act II opens we move up in time to the Ten Year High School Reunion, where costume designer Angela Hoerner brings us up to speed with psychedelic fabrics, mini skirts, go go boots, and bee hive hairdos. With music like "Barbara Ann" by the guys, and girl group favorites like "My Boyfriend's Back," we know we have definitely left the simple life of the 50's. Casey Shea really cranks it up when she sings "Mr. Postman." Nay brings us to the reality of the flower power decade, as she reads a letter from one of her students in Viet Nam, and then sings the hauntingly beautiful Joni Mitchell classic, "Both Sides Now," to a hushed audience. Later Alan pleads with Patti in "It's Now or Never," and Patti sings a poignant "Where the Boys Are."

Elissa Stone convincingly cries her heart out in "It's My Party." Patti does a powerful "R.E.S.P.E.C.T." and then hits the low notes in "These Boots are Made for Walking," as the ladies band together for girl power. When the salute to these decades starts to come to a close, Bostick leads his group in the memorable John Lennon favorite, "Yesterday," and Laura does a heart stopping "Since I Don't Have You."

So the real question is "If you knew then what you know now, would you have done things differently?" "This Magic Moment" is more than just a musical revue. McGee's brilliant story with insightful, realistic characters allows us to ask ourselves that question, and perhaps not only come away from the theatre humming those nostalgic hits of the 50's and 60's, but also to reach deep within ourselves and think about some of our life choices. All in all, "This Magic Moment" is a wonderful salute to a musical era which reflects our history, but also is a provocative look at choices we make as we travel this road called life.

"This Magic Moment" plays through July 26 at the Show Palace Dinner Theatre, 10128 U. S. 19, Hudson. Doors open two hours prior to each show for dinner and cocktails. On Sundays, the doors open at 1 p. m. and show starts at 3 p.m. Friday and Saturday night performances begin at 8 p.m., and doors open for dinner and cocktails at 6 p.m. Matinees are available on some Thursdays and Saturdays. Tickets are $46, plus tax, for dinner and show. Show only is $34.95 plus tax. Call 727-863-7949 or 888-655-7469 to reserve tickets.

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