(In the voice of Rod Serling..) "Imagine if you will.. a world of laughter, a world of cheer.. " Oh wait..
Here's the thing.. When the world needs more entertainment for children.. "Kid Gloves" a burgeoning competition reality show is set to find the next Shari Lewis or Mr. Rogers? The talent who come out of the woodwork to fill the bill are as eclectic.. even more eclectic as you might imagine.
Akin to American Idol.. but with back stage back stabbing and an Amazing Cast (Thanks to Casting Director Michael Donovan) To say that the contestants are a 'mixed bag' of talent is an understatement.
How a relatively small company comes up with this truly amazing cast and a groovy three piece combo on Mark Mendelson's very. very colorful set .. dedicated stage hands and rocks the Skylight as it may have never been rocked before is a delicious treat .
A panel of Kiddie Pros sit ready to crown the Next Big Thing in the KIDZ streaming channel.
KID GLOVES
It's a little embarrassing to gush. I, as a rule, just don't gush. Gushing is for gushers..
But!
If ever there was a 'must see' Hit that calls for Kudos?? ? KID GLOVES is the answer. Sadly, you might miss some of the terrific dialogue because of laughter. Oh sure.. no.. really. Aww Come on.. Really? Yes! Really!!
Okay.. this is why?
We enter the Skylight and are greeted by a live combo.
They set the tone of the evening.
No Intermission! Thank goodness..
Out pops Caleb. (Will Coller) the MC of the Kid Gloves Competition. .
We meet the panel.. Jonathan Slavin as Edmund the Elephant, Suzy Nakamura (Penelope) with her bunny pal and Professor Penguin, Harry S. Murphy whose silly hat falls off to set the mood for this truly wonderful Ninety Minutes of non-stop surprises.
Get yourself a seat mate with whom you can exchange looks of 'what fun' and then settle back to enjoy this crazy competion.
Kid Gloves in not a musical. It's a well crafted piece of theatre with songs and very special characters and a fully dedicated cast, nary a klinker in t he coal scuttle. A little song. A little dance. A lot of fun.
To wit..
Christopher Kerrigan as Joaquin, a ringer for Jack Black, who exposes the dark underbelly of a guy whom we love at first light.
As with American Idol, the panel of the Elephant, the sassy ventriloquist and Professor Penguin weigh in.
As the contestants sit in a 'confessional' to discuss the reasons for their heart's desire to be realized, we meet Meredith and Eddie (Heather Marsden & Adam J.
Smith). We are charmed by their mutual devotion and partnership. Well, for now.
Adroable Darla (Natalie Lander) and her dolly (Dolly) take stage and with dance moves and Super Pink Attitude knock it out of the park. Darla's got a mouth on her that would make a sailor blush. to coin a phrase.
Jackson (Joey Richter) is the most egotistical guy on the planet. He extols his love of the Earth and living in his own far out universe with amazing energy. Jackson's attitude and singing chops with great moves make you love to not like him much.
His gal pal Vicki.. (Lauren Lorati) plays the foil to Jackson all the way to the walkiing Coke Bottle! Recycle!
Will Collier as Caleb. the host of the competition could not be more perfect as a guy who embodies the best of the worst Game Show Hosts we've ever met. Sincere and slick and totally lovable..
There's a fine line between parody and whatever a sincere parody might be. There's no Nudge Nudge, Wink Wink that signals that the actors know they are painting with broad strokes. It's... unique in that the tenor of the performances might lapse into broader parody, but dirrector Richard Israel has this excellent cast selling the songs and the characters with sincere aplomb..
Aplomb?? Yes.. there's a depth to each of these products of Matthew Leavitt's imagination that teeters: broad comedy with Heart Felt performances.
I lucked into a seat mate who had taught dance to the dynmaic Darla and a lot of the fun of this show was turning to each other confirming that we had seen something special.
Mendelson's set looks expensive. The smooth transitions from tje KIDZ+ Studio Settiing with Panel, to the 'confessionals' to back sttage Craft Services and banter to another location?? The Green Room where it all comes to Big Old Climax! is wonderful.
How one assembles a cast of high quality actor-singer-dancers, each of whom is totally devoted to the work may come down to the enthusiasm that the playwright, Matt Leavitt, exhibits and has shared every single time I've met him. The synergy of the story, the characters, the songs and the very loopy whodunnit plot works because every single person and maybe a couple of stagehands? Are fully invested in their characters and the clever twists and turns of the plot.
It is so much fun to write a rave. The effortless flow of compliments and having a seatmate who enjoyed the show as much as I and the rest of the audience makes for the kind of evening where you know that we have had as much fin as the cast.
It all works.
Please take a friend or make a party .. Come early for parking. There's great Italian at Palermo.. or other good places nearby to dine. Atrium is right next door.
Make it an evening and see how a professional production will leave you a little out of breath from the laughter. Say Hello to Joaquin, Darla, Jackson and Meredith & Eddie.. Meet the panel, Caleb, too. and have some fun.
Boy, can we use some fun about now.
Please tell them that Michael Sheehan sent you. Onstagelosangeles strives to tell the truth and we never gush.. Okay?.
Cast:
Will Collyer as “Caleb,”
Adam J. Smith "Eddie,”Natalie Lander as “Darla,”
Joey Richter as “Jackson,”
Lauren Lorati as “ Vicki,”
Harry S. Murphy as “Professor Penguinpants,”
Jonathan Slavin as “Edmund the Elephant,”
Suzy Nakamura as “Penelope” (and “Bonita the Bunny”),
Christopher Kerrigan as “Juaquin.”
Crew:
Book and Lyrics: Matthew Leavitt;
Music by Nathan Wang;
Director Richard Israel;
Music Director Anthony Lucca; Choreography by Christine Lakin;
Scenic Design by ; Lighting Design by Andrew Schmedake; Costume Design by Rebecca Carr;
Sound Design by Christopher Moscatiello. Properties Design by Megan Trepani;
Fight Choreography by Ned Mochel. , Casting; Michael Donovan, CSA & Richie Ferris, CSA.
Production Stage Manager Amelia Tacy. Produced by Village Green Productions and Sami Kolko
KID GLOVES: World Premiere!
by Matthew Levitt
The Skylight Theatre
Los Angeles, California
Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays at 8pm; Sundays at 2pm
Runs January 15th - February 15th
Tickets and informaton:
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