The
current show of Walpole Footlighters 86th
season is "The King of Hearts". The show is a
1978 musical with a book by Joseph Stein, lyrics
by Jacob Brackman and music by Peter Link. It is
based on the 1960's anti-war cult film of the
same name. It is set in the fictional
French town of Du Temps in September, 1918,
shortly before the end of World War 1, its
protagonist is Private Johnny Able, whose
mission is to defuse a bomb intended to destroy
the entire village. All the local residents have
fled, leaving behind the cheerful inmates of the
insane asylum, who happily take over the town
and proclaim Johnny as their King of Hearts.
Johnny is quickly charmed by the essential
goodness and innocence of the people of St.
Anne's. The show raises the question of who is
more disturbed, the asylum patients or those who
wage war. The theme of pro-love is prevalent in
this show including a gay couple as is the
anti-war theme from the 1960's. Director Barbara
Pettis infuses this show with the humor and
pathos needed with her 19 topnotch performers.
Musical director David Tiedman taught this
talented cast the 14 musical numbers and
choreographer Danielle Clougher creates the
dance numbers for the show. Their combined
efforts create a musical treat for the audience
to savor and they are rewarded with a thunderous
ovation at the close of the night.
Barbara
blocks the show splendidly so that the
performers can be seen at all times. She
gives her cast insight into these off kilter
characters, making the audience empathize with
them. One of the funniest moments comes when the
inmates think rifles are cameras. David not only
taught these beautiful songs to the cast but
leads his three piece combo while playing the
piano, too. The harmonies soar in the group
numbers. Some of Danielle's dances include a
kick-line, a waltz and vaudeville style
number. Barbara's husband Roger created a
gorgeous storybook set for the many scenes and
Kate Smith made the gorgeous costumes. Johnny is
played by Ben Medeiros who has brown hair and
blue eyes winning the hearts of all the women in
the audience. He uses his marvelous baritone
voice in "Close Upon the Hour" which is a
rousing number about trying to rescue the
inmates, "Hey, Look at Me, Mrs. Draba which is
about his old high school geometry
teacher with them doing a vaudeville style
dance to it and "March, March, March" where he
finally rescues them. He also sings
"Nothing, Only Love" with Ashley Harmon. This
song is a gorgeous ballad which brings tears
to your eyes as does the last group number "A
Day in Our Life". Jeunefille is the girl who
falls in love with Johnny is played wonderfully
by Ashley who is a gorgeous brunette. Her
soprano voice entrances you all night long.
Ashley has many comic moments as this naive girl
but when she remembers her real name while
telling Johnny about her mother's death it tugs
your heartstrings at its poignancy. This scene
and the one near the end of the second act make
this show a heartwarming one.
Her
father, Genevieve is comically played by Bill
Bowen He sings "Deja Vu" the "Transformation"
where he and the inmates put on the clothes they
find in the trunk. He tells why he was thrown
into the insane asylum after his wife's death.
His character falls in love with Madeline and
they also sing the poignant "Nothing Only
Love". Elaine Bono tackles the role of Madeline,
the worldly courtesan and makes her the madam
with the heart of gold. She uses her fabulous
soprano voice and sings "Deja Vu", "Down at
Madeline's" and "Somewhere Is Here". The girls
do a can-can to the whorehouse number. One of
her funniest moments comes when other characters
call her nice. While the tres gay barber is
played by Stephen Lee who is a hoot in
this role. He is one of the biggest scene
stealers in this show. The bishop played by
George Motely leads the chorus in the coronation
number, "A Brand New Day". He has many comic
lines, too. Evie Rayburg and Marty West play the
Duchess and Duke and lead the inmates in "A Day
in the Life" which makes the audience cry at its
tenderness. Another outstanding performer
is Matt Burns as Demosthenes who is a
clown-like mute who does a wonderful pantomime
in this role. A tear jerking song is sung by
the soldiers, "Going Home Tomorrow".
The
inmates sing songs like the rousing "Stain on
the Name of Saint Ann" where they do a kick-line
to it at the finale (it sounds like I Could Have
Danced All Night"), "Now We Need to Cry" and A
Day in Our Life" and they convince the audience
that their outlook on life is the correct one.
So for a look back at an intriguing musical
about World War 1 that will have you laughing
one minute and crying the next, be sure to catch
"King of Hearts" in Walpole.
THE KING
OF HEARTS ( May 7 to 23, 2010)
The
Walpole Footlighters, 2 Scout Road, Walpole,MA
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