We’ve all heard the story more times than we can count: plucky girl from the provinces comes to the Big City, and immediately lands in a Broadway show. Hey, didn’t Betty Buckley step off the bus from Big Spring, Texas and waltz right into 1776?It may be only a legend, but it’s the stuff dreams are made of.
Our bright little ingénue here is named Ruby (you got it), and as played by Eloise Kropp, in addition to being suitably adorable, she’s one heck of a tap dancer. When asked to do the impossible, namely step in for the star of a musical at the last minute, she replies with a grin, “I’ll try!” It’s not long before she’s caught the eye of a lanky young sailor named Dick (Cary Tedder) and incurred the wrath of the resident diva, Mona Kent (Lesli Margherita). Dick just happens to be a swell composer, and Mona wants him for herself. Luckily, Ruby quickly makes a friend in a member of the cast, big-hearted chorine Joan (Mara Davi). Joan’s fella Lucky (Danny Gardner) is Dick’s best friend. Together with the distracted producer, Hennessey (John Bolton), it looks like the show may be saved, even though the theater is being torn down. But wait, how about performing the show on the sailor’s ship? The Captain (Bolton again) still carries a flame for Mona, so he eventually approves the idea. So, in the tradition of Mickey and Judy (“Hey kids, let’s get together and put on a show!”), 42nd Street, et al, the ingénue goes on as a kid but will come back a star. To see the epitome of the thought “how hard can it be to stage complicated musical numbers with no advance preparation?”, check out the great old movie chestnut “Holiday Inn.” Bing Crosby and friends pull off the feat with nary a snag. How well does a spoof play to a sophisticated Broadway audience? Judging from the laughter, pretty well, indeed. The production is set on the right path by the opening black and white credits, just what we’d see at the beginning of a vintage film. Even though we’re told it’s the early 1930’s, the only real indication we get is Ruby fainting from lack of food. The costumes are flashy and fun; the cast give it their all, and largely succeed. Having the least to do, John Bolton proves he’s got the old pro chops in a double role; we’re all in on the joke with him. This is a small cast, only six players. But the Helen Hayes is a small theater, Off-Broadway in size compared to more modern theatrical venues. Leave judgment at home, throw intellect to the wind, and wait for the spectacular “Star Tar” number at the end of the evening. Rest assured, Ruby, Dick, and the rest of the kids will tap their hearts out for you.
