She might not look it, but Little Mary Sunshine is almost 48 years old. She still has a spring in her step, even if she has a passing resemblance to the 1954 film, "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers."
Here we have six young gentlemen of the United States Forest Rangers and General Oscar Fairfax and the young ladies of the Eastchester Finishing School along with Nancy Twinkle and Madame Ernestine Von Liebedich with the charming Little Mary Sunshine. Ah, that magic number seven again.
The action takes play in and around the Colorado Inn, high in the Rockies. The Inn sits on government land, currently being protested by two remaining members of the Kodota Indian tribe. The plot is enhanced by the search for the notorious outlaw, Bill Doolin.
Little Mary Sunshine is really not that much about plot. It is about a highly stylized production where everything is black and white. The villain is very villainous. Little Mary Sunshine (Debbie David) is innocence and purity. Her suitor, Captain Big Jim Warington (Frank Remiatte) is all 100 percent hero. He sweeps the stage in grand gestures, while she remain demure. They dance with the pure pleasure of each other's company. Their signature song, "Colorado Love Call," is grand and sweeping. They are the perfect couple, as are David and Remiatte on stage.
Second in command of the forest rangers is Corporal Billy Jester (Charley Miller). He is responsible for the good behavior of his men: Pete (David Ainsworth), Slim (Jonathan Dotson), Buster (Cody Williams), and Hank (Jonathan Sturch). Then they meet Mary in the song, "Little Mary Sunshine." She mentions that there are a bevy of beauties from the Eastchester Finishing School staying at the Colorado Inn. The sweet young ladies are Cora (Dawn Marie Himlin), Maud (Carolyn Stevenson), Gwendolyn (Keely Stinner), and Mabel (Stephanie Sullivan). Decorum starts to fall apart with the singing of "Swinging - How Do You Do" and "Tell A Handsome Stranger." The rest, as they say, is history. Boys meet girls, and they sing and dance into each others hearts.
The Inn's maid, Nancy Twinkle (Katie Davey), is a bit on the randy side, toying with just about any man within sight or touch. However, it is Billy Jester who steals her heart in the end. The final romance to round out the magic seven is when Madame Ernestine Von Liebedich (Julie Clemmons), a famous opera star, is discovered by General Oscar Fairfax (Kevin Jones). Their romance is much more mature, with less frivolity than the young couples. They are delightful in their duet, "Do You Ever Dream of Vienna?"
Princess Brown Bear (Adriana Zuniga), one of the two remaining Kodotas, opens the show with an incantation, and aids and abets Corporal Jester's quest for the bad guy, Bill Doolin (Brian Farmer). Brian Farmer does double duty as an ancient Indian guide, Fleet Foot.
Choreographer Alisa Williams and her dance captains Himlin and Ainsworth provides excellent dance numbers. Dan Greenbush, musical director, has done an excellent job. Rick Carlson's excellent set features the Colorado Inn, complete with entry foyer, Princess Brown Bear's teepee, a woods, and Little Mary Sunshine's garden. Scenic artist Rosemary King added her delightful touches. A painting in the foyer of the hotel was hung in memory of the late Mary Ann McKay, a leading scenic artist for many years. Lighting designer Scott Padrick gives the set a warm glow. Sharon Bowen's period (early 1900s) costumes are fantastic.
Little Mary Sunshine, under Raylene J. Wall's excellent direction, is a charming ensemble piece, a big show on a small stage. (The cast of sixteen barely fits on the stage for curtain call.) Justin Gray's music, though a wee bit loud, works well.
