Cleveland’s North Coast Men’s Chorus is known for shows in which it blends a variety of pieces ranging from classical to rock to jazz to soul into a thematic program, whether it’s about coming out or same-sex marriage, the holidays or music of the ’60s or heartthrobs. Their shows typically feature a mix of solos, small group vocals by The Coastliners and chorus pieces, with skits, dance numbers, props and some costuming.
But they’ve never before attempted anything like Shoeless — A Musical Tale of Cinderella, which they performed for two shows at Playhouse Square’s Mimi Ohio Theatre. With a script written by longtime chorus member Brian Fetty, who also co-directed with choreographer Lora Workman and starred as the fairy godmother/narrator, it was a fully staged piece of theater featuring a storyline in which members of the chorus assumed the various roles, with choreography and the the Coastliners’ vocals, backed by a 40-voice chorus, woven throughout the show. A series of well-chosen pop tunes by artists such as Bruno Mars, the Beatles, Beyonce and Katrina and the Waves, along with Stephen Sondheim and Irving Berlin, worked with the dialogue to tell the story in song.
The casting of the imposing Patrick Carpenter as Cinderella and the diminutive Ross Williams as (Prince) Charming made for great visual humor, although their gorgeous singing on “Unforgettable,” the show’s penultimate number after Charming finds Cinderella again, evoked more “wows” than laughs.
Fetty worked plenty of gay humor into the script, of course, remarking (as the fairy godmother — a name designed for gay humor) as he reflected on the coming royal ball, “I remember my coming out party. It wasn’t royal, but there were plenty of queens” or telling Cinderella when she wonders where all the caring, considerate, kind men are, “Those men all have boyfriends.”
In one of the show’s most afffecting numbers, the Prince’s sidekick Troy, powerfully sung by Shawn Belt, confesses his love for the Prince as he watches him depart with Cinderella, pouring out his heart in the song “They Don’t Make Glass Slippers.” It would’ve been a downer in a lighthearted show except that the fairy godmother immediately works her magic to produce a love match for Troy.
The dancing on numbers such as “Get the Party Started,” “Uptown Funk” and the finale “Walking on Sunshine” was lively, enthusiastic and well executed, as usual. The production was fully costumed as well, with the chorus in tabards, and the cast in character-appropriate outfits. (The multi-talented Fetty was also responsible for those.) Especially impressive was Cinderella’s onstage switch from her drab work clothes to a sparkling silver dress: she twirled as the former disappeared under the latter. Lighting and backdrops, representing the royal ballroom, Cinderella’s stepfamily’s home and a night sky, and mood-setting lighting effects added to the feeling that this was more an evening of theater than a concert of independent numbers.
It’s hard to see how the North Coast Men’s Chorus tops this production. But I wouldn’t count them out.
One Response to “THEATER REVIEW: “Shoeless—A Musical Tale of Cinderella” by the North Coast Men’s Chorus”
janet held
Thank you, Anastasia, for the perfect review of this most wonderful production !!! So many kudos to Bryan and the chorus and all the actors – the script was excellent – and of course, the singing was top notch, as always. Yes, another full scale production would be a delight – there isn’t anything that these talented guys can’t do … and may they continue to be in good health and spirits .. and vocally superb!!!!