By Debbie Ditton
Despite Bear Lake’s chilly weather, the Pickleville Playhouse cast was on fire Friday night for the opening of T.J. Davis’ new melodrama Shootout at Shadow Mountain. Audiences quickly warmed up to the clever writing, lush harmonies, hysterical improv, well executed choreography, and amazing voices. According to Pickleville’s delightfully designed website (Bodie Brower), Shootout is a “rip-roaring’ Western adventure starring audience favorites Jordan Todd Brown as Ex-US Marshall Big Guns Bo Garrett and Slater Ashenhurst as notorious Frenchman Jaques Javert. After joining forces, the two lawbreakers find themselves handcuffed and humiliated, just inches from meeting their Maker when by luck they are freed to live another day. Angry, embarrassed, and fueled by their desire for revenge, they set into motion a maniacal scheme which culminates in a deadly western shootout unlike anything the West has ever seen.”
The website description accurately describes Brown and Ashenhurst as audience favorites, and each time they appear onstage, the reasons are obvious. Their comic timing is spot on, their speaking and singing voices are perfect for their characters, they have crazy improv skills, and their physical comedy leaves audiences in stiches. Brown is particularly adept and one of my favorite moments was watching him attempt to move Sheriff Zeke Williams (Joshua Goodrum-Green, Stefan Kurzius) across the stage. I seriously could not stop giggling and am laughing again as I write about it. These two actors play villains that are easy to love, and just as their ‘theme song’ states, I could tell that it would be “Awful Fun to Play the Villain.” I also need to give a special shout out here to Erin Davis (Costume Design), because not only were all the costumes imaginative and fun, but every time Ashenhurst steps onto the stage, he is dressed to the nines and his suits are truly stunning.
Brown and Ashenhurst will be a constant in every showing of Shootout. The rest of the cast, however, is doubled because of the volume of shows presented during the Summer and the fact that they will also be presenting The Little Mermaid, which opens on June 14th. I only saw one of the casts, but have no doubt that the doubles will also be equal to the demands of their roles. Goodrum-Green is cool as a cucumber as Sheriff Zeke, and plays the straight man with ease. His rapping skills are ‘legit’ and the chemistry between he and Claire (Georgia Bowman, Aria Grace Critchley), the traditional melodrama heroine (or is she?), is delightful. Bowman is elegant, a great dancer and wow, can she sing. The audience responded with cheers at her soaring vocals and cool riffs and I can only imagine that she will get even more powerful as the season progresses.
Powerful women’s vocals are an unexpected bonus throughout the evening, and Davis’ songwriting skills truly know how to show them off. Vanessa Vause’s voice is no exception. Playing Kate Coleman (also played by Nicole DiSandro), she rocks the house with her number “Kate the Killer,” and her bigger than life personality is a fun addition to every scene she is in. Of course, no melodrama – at least Pickleville style – is complete without a couple of stupid criminals. Fortunately, this show’s pair Moxie (Kenzie Davis, Vanessa Vause) and Jut (Chase Andreae, Jaquel Spivey), are not only smart with their timing, they have silky-smooth, perfectly-blended voices, and can dance like Fred and Ginger. They bring a wonderful energy with them every time they enter a scene, and one of the musical and choreographic highlights of the show is their number “The Mustache Song.” Finally, although not technically part of the cast, I need to mention Jeremy Andriano (Rachel Worthen), who is at the piano during the entire show. In true melodrama fashion, Andriano provides underscoring for every scene, using the mirror to make sure he accents every hit, and times the music perfectly to the action. His aplomb at improvisation and his impeccable timing reminds me of long-time Pickleville pianist Ralph Degn, who watched the same mirror for decades. Needless to say, I was impressed and was also thrilled to get to hear him play a few specialty numbers as well.
For those familiar with Pickleville Playhouse, they know that for the last 12 years Juanito Bandito has monopolized the melodrama spot on their season. Whether you are a Bandito fan or not, Davis (Playwright, Composer, Director, Music Director) has perfected Pickleville’s one-of-a-kind brand of modern melodrama entertainment, and Shootout at Shadow Mountain is a show full of tight contemporary harmonies, witty humor, clever choreography (Sharli King) and a production quality that exceeds expectations. The technical aspects of the show, blended with the skills of the cast, create a unique experience that can only be found in this cozy 330 seat theatre and must be experienced to be believed. The lighting (Tanner Funk) is reminiscent of shows I have seen in New York, and the deceptively simple set (Funk), packs a surprising punch with some backlighting and a little haze. The sound system/design (Tim Jordan, Spencer Bauman) is also state of the art, and with the recent upgrades to seating and air conditioning over the past few years, you will forget that you are in a log cabin, built in 1977, along the shores of Bear Lake.
Audiences of all ages, especially families, will love seeing Shootout at Pickleville Playhouse. From the moment you walk into the theatre and are greeted (and seated) by the cast members, you feel like you belong. According to Kenzie Davis, this cast (from Utah, California, Michigan, Oklahoma, New Jersey, Indiana and Illinois) already feels like a family, and that is obvious in the way they interact both on and off the stage. The Pickleville family, headed up by Andrea Davis (Producer), is all-inclusive, and as an audience member, you immediately become part of the tribe. I have seen shows (and participated in a few) at Pickleville on and off for about 20 years and it always feels like coming home. They also offer dinner options before the shows, catered by Café Sabor and Hamilton’s and yummy shave ice over rich custard during intermission. So, don’t hesitate to pack the kids (or friends) into the car, drive the lush, green Logan Canyon, and spend an hour and a half as part of this amazing family. You won’t regret it.
Pickleville Playhouse presents Shootout at Shadow Mountain
Pickleville Playhouse, 2049 South Bear Lake Blvd, Garden City, UT 84028
May 24 – September 7, 2019
Contact: (435) 946-2918
Tickets: $17-$30, Dinner is an additional $9 (children) or $15 (adults)
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