By TR Robertson Photos by Aaron Rumley
Solana Beach’s North Coast Repertory Theatre has dipped into Broadway history with its latest production bringing to their stage one of Broadway’s esteemed musical composers, “The Most Happy Fella” by Frank Loesser. Loesser’s has produced award winning musicals such as “Guys and Dolls” and “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying”, garnering Tony Awards and even a Pulitzer Prize for one of the musicals. His “The Most Happy Fella” opened on Broadway in 1956 at the Imperial Theatre and moved to the Broadway Theatre in 1957 where it ran for 676 performances.
The musical features wonderful ballads, catchy Broadway style tunes and a chance for talented singers to truly show their range in almost operatic style arias. When performed, which is rarely, it is usually in larger theaters with a larger number of cast members and a full orchestra. NC Rep’s Director, Jeffrey B. Moss and Artistic Director David Ellenstein have been able to use a much smaller cast, a more intimate set design and two wonderful pianists to present this musical classic to an audience that might not have had the opportunity to have ever seen this Loesser production. Although I spoke with one audience member who said he fondly remembers seeing this production on Broadway when his father took him to his first Broadway show when he was much, much younger.
“The Most Happy Fella” is based on a 1924 play, “They Knew What They Wanted”, which contained more political, labor and religious references, which for the most part does not appear in “The Most Happy Fella” version. The very unique musical has been referred to as “Broadway Opera” It received 6 1957 Tony Award nominations and won a Theatre World Award and a New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Musical.
The musical takes place in 1927 starting in San Francisco and for the majority of the musical Napa, California. It centers around an older Italian Napa vineyard owner, Tony Esposito, who is “smitten” by a young waitress who waits on him in at the Golden Gate Restaurant in San Fransico. Her real name is Amy, but Tony has referred to her as Rosabella in a note he has left to her on his menu. They begin a pen pal relationship. Tony gets a picture of her in one of the letters he receives, but he is afraid to send a picture of himself, thinking he is too old for her to see. He tricks his farm foreman Joe into getting his picture taken and Tony sends Rosabella a picture of Joe instead. Tony convinces Rosabella to take the train to Napa and marry him, thinking he will be able to convince her how much he loves her and she will ignore how old he is. Tony’s sister, Maria, is very upset and thinks Tony is being foolish. Tony leaves in his truck to get to the train station but is injured in an accident. Rosabella arrives, thinks Joe is Tony, finds out he isn’t, Tony arrives back from the train station on a stretcher from the accident, a hasty wedding ensues and a distraught Rosabella is rushed into accepting his proposal and as Tony goes to recover, Rosabella slips away with Joe. Quite the drama for Act 1. In Act 2 Rosabella is a different person, having fallen for the kindness and caring of the older Tony. Maria is still very suspicious of her and has suspicions about Rosabella and Joe. Joe, in the meantime, has decided it is time for him to move on. Tony has also invited Rosabella’s best friend from San Francisco, Cleo, to keep her company. Cleo begins to fall for one fellow Texan, the overly positive Herman. Tony decides to throw a huge party for everyone, but Rosabella faints, and the doctor helps her, discovering she is pregnant. Rosabella decides she must tell Tony that she and Joe had a one-time affair on their wedding night. Maria once again tries to step in, but Cleo stops her and Herman protects Cleo. Tony finally decides he will tell the citizens he is the father and take Rosabella back.
Along with the plot the majority of the musical is not only filled with wonderful songs, but many of the situations begin with a song and will melt into an operatic story of what is happening. It is indeed not your typical romantic musical. Tony is played by long time regional actor Gregory North. He has a strong voice as show in songs like ”Old People” and “Mamma, Mamma”, complete with a strong Italian American accent. Rosabella is played by Lauren Weinberg who presents her as a very conflicted woman. She has a beautiful voice in songs like “Somebody, Somewhere”, “No Home, No Job”, “Warm All Over”, and “Please Let Me Tell You”. Together they have a touching presentation of “My Heart is So Full of You”.
Tony’s sister, Maria, is played by Bethany Slomka, making her North Coast Rep debut, with a strong performance as the sister who isn’t willing to let her brother go. Playing the forlorn Joe is Chris Hunter, also making his North Coast Rep debut. Playing the very Texan Cleo is Shinah Hey. Shinah along with Andrew Hey, as Herman, provide some comic relief moments especially in songs “I Like Everybody” and “I Made a Fist”. Jacob Caltrider, Eli Wood, and Morgan Hollingsworth might have received the loudest ovations as the chefs preparing the wedding feast as they harmonized, juggled and even played the mandolin to the audience’s delight. They also had a touching serenade of Rosabella and lead the audience in a sing-along to “Sposaoizio”. This group along with Andrew Hey also have a memorable performance of “Standing on the Corner” bringing back barbershop quartet memories. Jason Maddy kept busy as the restaurant owner, the manager of the train depot and the town doctor. Rounding out the cast was Tori Hitchcock and Isabelle Simone Pizzurro who were townspeople and vineyard workers.
On stage the entire musical and playing dual pianos for all of the songs and background music were award winning music director Elan McMahan, who has directed numerous Moonlight Theatre productions as well as other regional productions and Justin Gray, active all over the San Diego music scene for over 40 years. Justin also stepped in as a photographer and as a priest for the musical.
The Creative and Design Team for Director Jeffrey B. Moss included Production Stage Manager Vernon Willet, Choreographer Melissa Glasgow, Associate Choreographer Erica Kahn, Assistant Stage Manager Tyler Dean, Set Designer Marty Burnett, Light Designer Matthew Novotny, Costume Designer Alina Bokovikova, Associate Costume Designer Grace Wong, Sound Designer Tristan King, Props Designer Michael Wogutis, Hair and Wig Designer Meg Woodley, Projection Designer Matt FitzGerald and Mixer Meredith Lange. The barn setting for the set had movable walls that provided different backgrounds and could be moved to show a beautiful picture of the Napa Valley vineyards.
The musical is filled with humor, memorable songs, tremendous voices and don’t forget the amazing piano performances by Elan and Justin. This will be a great musical to see if you’ve never seen it or if you have a great way to enjoy it one more time. Go to www.northcoastrep.org or call 858-481-1055 for tickets. “The Most Happy Fella” will be on the North Coast Rep Stage until July 5th. Next up for NC Rep is “Scapin” by Bill Irwin and Mark O’Donnell beginning on July 22nd.
