A... My Name is Alice
Omaha World Herald Review
Published Saturday | July 7, 2007
Review: An 'A' for very funny musical mix
By Bob Fischbach
As musical revues go, this one's a high-energy hoot and a half.
"A . . . My Name Is Alice," a 1984 off-Broadway mix of song-and-dance, sketch comedy and the occasional poetic spoof-rant, explores how women see themselves, their lives and each other.
And in the minds of co-creators Joan Micklin Silver and Julianne Boyd, whether they're young or old, black or white, they see most everything with heart and a sense of humor.
As it did with last summer's "Hot Flashes," another collection of vignettes, BroadStreet Theatre features an all-female cast talking from a distinctly female point of view. And, once again, the adult-themed show entertains both genders with its combination of talented comedians and crisp staging.
This time, add great singing. The cast of seven wastes no time, grabbing its audience with a peppy opener, "All Girl Band," featuring flashy, well-rehearsed choreography by Patrick Roddy.
In a seamless transition, they then explain the show's title, based on an old children's playground game.
"A my name is Alice and my husband's name is Allan and we come from Alabama and we sell apples."
As each actress delivers a version of the rhyme, we get a new take on what women's lives have become:
"A my name is Alice and my husband's name is Adam and his girlfriend's name is Amy and my lover's name is Abbie and her husband's name is Arnie and his boyfriend's name is Allan and my analyst's name is Arthur and we're working on my anger!"
The two dozen vignettes, briskly paced under the direction of Moira Mangiameli and musical director Keefer Peterson's lively trio, hit far more than they miss. A sampling:
A widow (Becky Noble) prepares for her first blind date, while a 15-year-old (Emily Neve) gets ready for her first date ever, their nervousness juxtaposed in the alternating lyrics of "At My Age."
In "Welcome to Kindergarten, Mrs. Johnson," a rigid teacher (Ruth Rath) uses a parent-teacher conference to unhinge a confident career woman (Deborah Conley).
"Demigod" finds Anna Rebecca Kunkle, recently dumped by her boyfriend, rejecting his wish to stay friends: "I loved you, but I never said I liked you."
Allison Botkin-Wissman faces down a construction worker (Kunkle is a scream), answering his crude wolf call with a few of her own euphemisms in "Hot Lunch."
Noble and Mary Carrick travel from childhood to nursing home in the touching ballad "Friends."
From doo-wop to tap to a basketball number, Roddy's footwork lifts the show, while beautiful harmonizing and witty, sophisticated lyrics clinch the deal with the audience.
The music is melodic pop-rock, the material as timeless, and occasionally touching, as it is funny. The show runs just under two hours, including intermission.
