It's opening night, the first tryout in Boston before the long arduous trip to The Great White Way. Thus opens Moss Hart's 1948 Broadway success (it ran 27 weeks), Light up the Sky. This aging play survives quite well for it tells the story, admittedly way over the top, of the trials and tribulations of bringing a brand new play by a first-time playwright to the public.
Patio Playhouse's production of Sky is directed by first-timer Kelli Harless. With a cast of 14, Harless faces a major challenge just moving her cast about the stage. With only a few rough edges, her cast moves well. It's refreshing that she's unafraid to stage speeches with the actor facing upstage and not to the audience, giving the play a naturalistic look.
Light up the Sky is a play of overdrawn characters. Director Carlton Fitzgerald (Jeff Laurence) has an abundance of flairs and flourishes. Laurence plays him delightfully emotional. Speaking of emotions, Karen Hartford, as theater diva Irene Livingston, is all over the emotional spectrum -- ranting and raving one moment, sweet and oh-so-sincere the next. Randy Workman, investor/producer Sidney Black, has some fine moments. These three are "of the theater, my dear" and, thus, are constantly exaggerated.
Several other performances should be noted for not being inflated -- the people around the theater folk. Peggy Schneider plays Stella Livingston, Irene's mother, straightforward, no flourish, just excellent acting. Kris Bauer, as Francis Black, Sidney's wife, has some high emotions, which logically fit her character, best described as a trophy wife with an attitude. Jim Clevenger, as Owen Turner, a playwright/friend, convinces as the voice of reason amongst the hectic throng.
John Hawk's portrayal of first-time playwright Peter Sloan needs more work, as does John J. Porowski's Tyler Rayburn, Irene's husband. Both characters lack the dynamics expressed by the others.
Krystal Price, John MacKay, Stephen Rich, Earl Adams, David Farlow, and Stephen Rowe round out this large cast, complementing the principals. Richard Gant's design of the Boston Ritz Carlton Hotel suite is quite elegant. His lighting enhances the set; however areas of downstage are a bit under-lit. Sound Designer David Farlow creates an effective music track. Arlene Darden outdoes her usual high standards with elegant dresses and proper gentlemen attire.
Light up the Sky is a fun evening, often with excess. Director Harless assembled a good cast and should take pride in her first directorial effort. Anyone that has ever worked in theatre will enjoy Light up the Sky. Moss Hart's dialogue ages extremely well.
