The REV Theatre Company at Emerson Park in Owasco (Auburn) was filled with lively performances and enthusiastic applause to match for the opening of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “State Fair” on Wednesday evening under the direction of Producing Artistic Director Brett Smock.
With a long pedigree of adaptations beginning with a 1932 novel by Phil Stong, “State Fair” was adapted for a film starring Will Rogers in 1933. Following that was a musical film in 1945 for which Rodgers and Hammerstein supplied the music and lyrics, but, curiously, wasn’t adapted for the stage until 1969 with book by Tom Briggs and Louis Mattioli, but didn’t debut on Broadway until 1996.
That said, Smock’s choice of this family-oriented, thoroughly entertaining show of song and dance bits fits perfectly into his vision for a season that celebrates community and family. And, indeed, song and dance abound in this two-hour, non-stop-action tale of the Frake family who visit the Iowa State Fair in 1946.
Excitement invades the Frake farmhouse in anticipation as Abel Frake (Martin Sola), the husband and father, readies his prize pig for competition while his wife, Melissa (Crissy Guerrero) prepares her best versions of dill pickles and mincemeat for the judging in Des Moines. Margy Frake (Anne Wechsler), a recent high school graduate, regards the fair with a dash of post-adolescent disinterest, while her brother, Wayne (Jackson Goad), having reached the age of 21, practices his hoop throwing in hopes of winning midway prizes he missed the year before.
The set-up for the total premise is all very familiar and very American, and therefore, very predictable. The parents will probably go on to win their contests, and their offspring will probably undergo new experiences, meet new people, and maybe even fall in love.
There are no surprises built into this storyline, and that’s just fine for this piece because what may be lacking in plot is more than made up for in pure entertainment executed by experienced performers. It doesn’t need to be more than it is.
The music, performed by a crackerjack orchestra conducted by Alexander Tom fits the event and the era perfectly, and may remind you of stuff you’ve probably heard over and over on variety shows such as Lawrence Welk (originally, if you’re old enough, and in re-runs if you’re not). It’s jaunty and perky by today’s standards, but just the thing for an Iowa State Fair in 1946 because it sends the message of excitement and optimism which fits right in with the post- World War II upbeat attitude that pervaded the American landscape.
The musical numbers are plentiful and executed well by a number of solid, creditable voices. Among them, are Weschler’s Margy with the recognizable “It Might As Well Be Spring” in the opening scene and in reprise, J Savage’s Pat (Margy’s love interest) with the lively song and dance number, “The Man I Used to Be”, and “It’s A Grand Night For Singing”, the lively company number capping off Act I.
All of the principals demonstrated solid vocal ability from the sonorous voice of Sola’s Abel to the pleasant tenor of Goad’s Wayne, to the two duos performed by Weschler and Savage in “Isn’t It Kinda Fun?” in Act I and again in Act II.
Standout characters Emily Arden and Pat Gilbert provide the new love interests for the two younger Frakes as the two provincial siblings are charmed by the worldliness of each. Kim Sava’s Emily is a nightclub singer and dancer who turns Wayne’s world upside down, while the charm and experience of Savage’s news reporter Pat gives pause to Margy’s traditional roles and expectations.
Both Sava and Savage are particularly noteworthy in their individual performances in several song and dance numbers, and demonstrate trained and skillful movement. Savage’s tap number in “Man I Used to Be” and Sava’s sultry, seemingly Bob Fosse-inspired nightclub number with male dancers dressed in black costumes and hats are particularly memorable.
From its rugged, expansive set (Jeffrey D. Kmiec) denoting the fair’s excitement, to the plethora of colorful, interesting costumes (Tiffany Howard), to the exacting choreography (Marc Kimelman), REV’s “State Fair” has simply got to be this summer’s old-fashioned, “feel good” show!
Details:
What: “State Fair”
Where: REV Theatre, Emerson Park, Owasco (Auburn)
When: Aug. 17 through Sept. 6 (evenings and matinees)
Family Guide: Family Fare (even the kids will enjoy the spectacle)
Length of Performance: Two hours, 15 minutes including a 15-minute intermission
For Information and Tickets: (315) 255-1785 and TheREVTheatre.com
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