Showing posts with label Sylvia's Class Act Dinner Theatre. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sylvia's Class Act Dinner Theatre. Show all posts

Tuesday, July 26, 2005

Farewell, Sylvia?

Sylvia’s Class Act Dinner Theatre
July 26, 2005

Voice on answering machine: “Thank you for calling Sylvia’s. We regret to inform you that we have closed our doors and we will not be reopening now at this time. So we will contact individuals by mail and we will not be returning your call at this time. Thank you.”

Friday, June 17, 2005

Forever Plaid

Sylvia’s Class Act Dinner Theatre
June 16, 2005; closes August 20, 2005

Do-no-wrong production succeeds for what it is, but the question is how to make it more. Even if not as infectious as it could be, high-spirited revue fits Sylvia’s, keeping toes a’tappin at zippy pace while weaving in usual gimmicks. Brian Bartley is musical comedy ace; Ammon Morris delivers vocally.

Sunday, March 13, 2005

A Perfect Fool

Sylvia’s Class Act Dinner Theatre
March 12, 2005

Classic French farce restaged as makeshift Italian melodrama. First act kind of fun; second act drags and is too serious. Crowded stage; unnecessary songs. Slapstick “menials” funny enough without faux accents others don’t have. Keep Don Burns in mind for real “School for Wives;” Kevin C. Moore for real musical.

Saturday, January 15, 2005

Soup du Jour

Sylvia's Class Act Dinner Theatre
January 14, 2005

Half-baked musical about 1930s undercover girl reporter exposing restaurant’s secret recipe could work … if spiced up as salty lampoon. As served, even savory Stephanie Shininger is challenged to cook up any intrigue. Credit Sylvia’s for giving actors work, but Portland’s performers, audiences deserve better fare. (P.S. Use live musicans.)

Saturday, September 04, 2004

Pool's Paradise

Sylvia's Class Act Dinner Theatre
September 3, 2004

Tolerable production of predictable British farce about vicarage upset by potential landslide in forbidden soccer pool, though second half fails to score with losing laundry list of plot points. Best bet: order drinks from the bar before curtain; then place your money on newcomers Victoria Blake and Stephanie Brooke Danna.

Sunday, July 04, 2004

Monky Business

Sylvia's Class Act Dinner Theatre
July 1, 2004

Dreadful schlock performed with reverent zeal. The cast’s obvious talent was put to shame through inane book, stupid songs and awkward-at-best staging. So embarrassing that I wanted to shrink into a corner, and even the blue-hair audience didn’t seem to want to be there. Noteworthy: Brian Bartley as Brother Forte.