The classic tale of love, jealously and the draw of the bright lights of Broadway takes the stage in Upper Darby Summer Stage’s “42nd Street" this weekend.
The musical tells the story of bright-eyed Peggy Sawyer (Meghan Dietzler) of Allentown, who arrives in the Big Apple and hopes to land a role in a new Broadway show. Set in the 1930s, Peggy might have a shot at stardom after the leading lady, Dorothy Brock (Rachel Medori) breaks her ankle. The Mainstage show features a wide range of talents to close out Summer Stage's 43rd season.
I can't imagine a Mainstage show without Dietzler or Chris Monaco (Julian Marsh). Over the years, the talented Dietzler has portrayed everyone from hyper Penny in "Hairspray" to dignified Princess Fiona in "Shrek the Musical." In this show she displays her amazing tap dancing skills as the optimistic Peggy. As Marsh, the serious and diligent director, Monaco strives to save the production when his leading lady Brock is inured.
Medori is charismatic as the fading leading lady diva Brock, struggling simultaneously to hold on to her man and the spotlight. A Summer Stager for 14 years, Medori is an asset to the program and has worked her way up by performing with the Shooting Stars and doing Mainstage shows and is now a Stage Manager.
The highly entertaining tap-infused scenes and the timeless songs “We’re In The Money,” “Lullaby of Broadway” and “42nd Street” make up for the somewhat dated and meandering plot. Choreographers Kevin Dietzler and Devon Sinclair made it appear easy as the cast tapped across the stage in intricate, and exhausting, formations.
Longtime Summer Stager Brian Walsh directs the extensive cast of over 80 actors. The set, designed by Martin Dallago, features a simple stage curtain which seamlessly transforms from backstage rehearsals to showtime performing. The high energy jazz music of the 13-piece orchestra is piped in from the band room.
The costume designs by Julia Poiesz emphasizes the diva look for Brock with a gold pantsuit, while the practical lavender jacket and skirt for Sawyer. The over 300 costumes, with the average cast member having 5-7 different costume changes, captures the style of the 1930s with suspenders, fedoras and cinched waist dresses.
While definitely not my favorite show, Upper Darby Summer Stage’s “42nd Street" is an enjoyable production due to the amazing tap dancing abilities of its dancers.
If you go: “42nd Street” at Upper Darby Summer Stage, 601 N. Lansdowne Ave. in Upper Darby, continues Friday, Aug. 3 and Saturday, Aug. 4 at 7:30 p.m. There is also an afternoon show on Saturday, Aug. 4 at 1:30 p.m. Tickets are between $14-$17. Running time is two and a half hours with an intermission.
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