By Sandra R. Bridges
When you enter the theatre at Lightree Studios for Scaffold Theatre’s latest production, Forever More! An Interactive Valentines Theatrical Extravaganza, you feel like you’ve stepped into a giant Valentine’s Day card. That’s because their latest show is all about the Holiday of Love. Forever More! An Interactive Valentines Theatrical Extravaganza is exactly that, an extravaganza of l’amour where everyone gets to participate—from throwing rose petals, to picking the next scene played by the actors, to cheering on the cast as they decide the most romantic moment of all time.
The plot line is simple but quite ingenious. The legendary lover Don Juan (Jordan Scott) has been cursed by Venus (Julie-Anne Liechty, who is also the writer) for running off with the nymph that does her hair. He can no longer fall in love until he discovers the true meaning of Valentine’s Day. Luckily for the star-crossed lover, Cupid (Jacob Baird) and Miss Valentine (Meg Flinders) come to his assistance hoping to bring back his mojo by taking him through classic moments of romance, poetry, and song.
The show opens with Miss Valentine singing along to the Cardigan’s “Love Fool” as she skips on stage, full of determination to help Don Juan. She’s quickly joined by toga clad, bow-carrying Cupid. They joke with the audience, letting them in on their mission to save the doomed lover and ask for their help in the ploy. The audience is instructed to throw rose petals (provided by Miss Valentine in cute pink and red envelopes left under their seats) in lieu of clapping to vote for the best romantic moment—which they will need to break the curse.
A mopey Don Juan quickly joins the pair and not long after Venus storms on stage, keen to see if her punishment of the legendary lover is working. What ensues then is quite magical. Liechty’s clever writing weaves together this zany plot with, indeed, some of the most romantic moments of literature, poetry, and song. Having the idea to “act things out”, Miss Valentine, Don Juan, and Cupid move us through such gems as the balcony scene from Romeo and Juliet, the proposal scene from Pride and Prejudice, Cole Porter songs, tales of legendary lovers and even some love poetry from Chilean great Pablo Neruda. Not to mention a Hallmark scene!
Whether or not Don Juan’s curse is broken, and he finds his “Forever More” is something you’ll have to venture out to the theatre to discover. But one thing’s for certain, this show is the perfect way to celebrate the Valentine Season. Flinders shines in her role as Miss Valentine. Her comic timing is impeccable, her acting nuanced, especially as Elizabeth in the Pride and Prejudice scene and in her handling of the Neruda poetry. Baird’s Cupid is hilarious. Quick witted and big-hearted, you fall in love with this mama’s boy as he tries to get everyone “Valentined Up”, all the while taking stabs at his fledgling stand-up ambitions. Scott, stunningly handsome as Don Juan, has some wonderful moments as well as he interacts with Flinders, however the true chemistry comes out in his battles with Liechty as Venus. And Liechty’s over the top version of the Goddess of Love literally slays them in the aisles as at one point she sashays into the audience armed with a hot pink boa while belting the classic torch song “My Man”.
Christy Summerhays’ direction is delightful. She moves the story along effortlessly, taking us from the hilarious to the sublime. Her handling of the script is impressive as there are many tight twists and turns going from the fun plot line of the main characters to the deeper roles they portray. However, Clarisa Johnston’s set design almost steals the show. Red Persian rugs cover the platforms that create the stage, paper lanterns and streamers fill the space overhead. Hearts and oversized paper roses abound. There’s even chandeliers and a cozy fireplace with a settee and chairs. She is assisted by Sharla Heydorf. Candice Bahe’s costumes help set the mood. A personal favorite is Cupid’s bling belt. Other stand outs are the bedazzled Valentine sweaters in the Hallmark scene, credited to Bahe’s assistants Matt Hoisington and Claudia Kunz. David Braithwaite’s lighting design brings in that warm, pink glow that ties it all together.
In the program, Liechty describes Forever More! as The Nutcracker for February. And I think that is just what it is. At only an hour long, it can fit before or after a Valentine’s dinner out. Indeed, this delightful show is something that should be seen yearly, made a family tradition, and revisited Forever More!
Scaffold Theatre presents Forever More! An Interactive Valentines Theatrical Extravaganza. Written by Julie-Anne Liechty.
Lightree Studios, 740 W 1700 S, Suite 9, SLC, UT 84104.
Feb 2- 4, 9- 11, 13-14 7:00 PM and 9:00 PM, Tuesday February 14, 2023 7:00 PM and 9:00 PM
Additional show times may be added depending on demand. Please check website for more details.
Show runs approximately 1 hour.
Tickets $25.
Contact: 323-215-6350
Lightree Studios Facebook Page
0 Comments