A Smart & ‘Sweet Charity’

Hey big spenders (and suburban subscribers), there is a classic to behold at the Drury Lane Theatre in Oakbrook. Sweet Charity, the 1966 Broadway smash, which made a star out of Gwen Verdon and a legend out of Bob Fosse has found a soul mate in director Jim Corti. Corti has put forward a no-nonsense, respectful and emotionally powerful production of Charity with a first rate cast and chorus including two stellar leads which truly understand the characters they inhabit.

Unlike the recent revival that passed through Chicago on its way to Broadway which featured Christina Applegate (and her infamous broken ankle), this lavish production has all the famous Fosse chorography on hand and under the loving legs and jazz hands of Mitzi Hamilton, the cast pulls off one of the best dance numbers ever staged for a musical, "Rich Man's Frug" with dynamic precision.

Sweet Charity, was adapted from Fellini's screenplay ‘Nights of Cabiria', has a hilarious yet poignant book by Neil Simon and features one of the most popular scores in theatre history by Cy Coleman and lyricist Dorothy Fields. Sweet Charity put the spotlight on dance hall hostesses long before Tina Turner's ‘Private Dancer'. The role has been played by some of film and theatres greatest actresses, including Ms. Verdon, Shirley MacClaine, Juliet Prowse, Debbie Allen and Molly Ringwald. However, not since the great Donna McKechnie, who toured in the late 80's in the role, has there been a more sincere and erstwhile performance of Charity Hope Valentine then Summer Smart. There is a very fine line between the coarseness Charity has developed and the sense of humor she keeps in hand for basic survival. Smart walks the line (with jazz hands) in the most satisfying of ways. With a terrific alto belt and a pension for really connecting with the audience, especially in the second act, Ms. Smart makes you feel the desperation and finally the liberation that is the ultimate lesson that Charity learns for herself.

Equally as good, and in a fun casting maneuver, Charity's three men she has relationships with are played by the same person; the incredibly affable Nicholas Foster, who brought audiences to their feet several years ago with his performance in ‘Parade'. Here Foster has a chance to hone is comedic skills and his scenes playing the manic Oscar are hilarious. The bonus comes when Foster lets his vocal pipes loose in his big number "Sweet Charity" as he literally shakes the rafters off the theatre.

The best number of the show, "There's Gotta Be Something Better Than This", which was Fosse's own take on Jerome Robbins' "America" in West Side Story, showcases the simplest hopes and dreams of Charity and her two best friends. Vanessa Panerosa (Nickie) and Ericka Mac (Helene) along with Ms. Smart, stop the show with their moves.

With all the incredible songs that came from the score, including "Big Spender", "If My Friends Could See Me Now", "Rhythm of Life" and "I'm a Brass Band", just to name a few, the secret that really makes the show work and continue to strike such an emotional chord with the patrons is that there is not a traditional musical theatre ‘happy ever after' ending for Charity. Instead, it is the inner strength and piece of womanhood that Charity finds within herself that propels Ms. Valentine into one of the Sweetest of inspirations to those who want to make their lives better and overcome their own obstacles to find out who they truly can be.

Sweet Charity plays through May 18, 2008 at the Drury Lane Theatre Oakbrook. For information on tickets and show times, phone (630) 530-0111 or Ticket Master (312) 599-1212. You may also visit www.drurylaneoakbrook.com or www.ticketmaster.com

Photo Credit: Johnny Knight