ABOUT FACE - TalkEntertainment.com review

Cupid has shot his arrow directly into the hearts of Beatrice Stanton (Barbara Walsh) head of Humanities and Bill Benedick (Mark Zimmerman) head of Athletics at Whittney College in the autumn of 1955 causing them to make an about-face in how they perceive themselves and each other. He’s also targeted her niece Vicki (Aubrey Sinn) and Claude, star quarterback (Nick Mannix). It’s a merry madcap musical where the outcome is inevitable and all the fun is in getting there.

Thanks to David Arthur (Book and Lyrics) and Jeffrey Lodin (Music) and Nick Corley (director) and Mary MacLeod (Choreographer) for creating a most original, tuneful, witty, heartfelt, optimistic, put-a-smile-on-your-face fresh adaptation of Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing.

A fantastic Barbara Walsh is perfect for the part of a professor more interested in her books than getting a man (she all but stops the show with her first number “A Good Book” and a perfect match for football coach Mark Zimmerman a macho man with a hidden romantic side who is very much at odds with her. They are both vying for a ten thousand dollar grant. The students see that beneath all the verbal sparring lurk two hearts destined to be together – so they concoct a plot to help them along. Drama coach Mae Francis (Pamela Myers) and Dean Leonard (John Horton who sings a lovely “Look Again”) are also part of the convoluted plot. Vicki’s roommate Maggie is a hot tamale played with great relish by Rebecca Weiner.

Barbara Walsh is outstanding with her comic timing and strong vocals. Pamela Myers seems to have had this part especially written for her. The ghost of Ethel Merman is always at her side. Mark Zimmerman is one of the guys and we root for him throughout. They have two duets – I Guess I Never Gave It A Chance” and “Here’s Looking at You”. Both are well written and beautifully performed. David Arthur has a wonderful gift of humor and the ability to twist words and thoughts around in unexpected delightful ways. The music is quite pleasing to the ear and you’ll enjoy hearing some real musical comedy songs here. One of the best numbers is sung by Vicki and Claude as they audition for the show and we hear their inner thoughts in “You, That’s Who/”Ooh, What You’re Doin’ To Me”.

Mark Christine plays two parts and it’s a drawback. While he is excellent in both it is confusing. As Peter, who is infatuated with Beatrice Stanton he gets to sing one of the more beautiful ballads – “Just For Instance”. As Jake, the senior who usually gets to star in all the shows, Mark gets to strut his mischievous side when Claude gets the lead in “The Pennsylvania Maiden”. As a result, he tries his best to get Vicki and Claude’s budding relationship off track by inciting the very jealous Claude. Of course, there is a happy ending for all.

Some more work needs to be done. Some cuts would be welcome. But this ABOUT FACE certainly has a future. All they need are some angels. www.nymf.org