BWW Reviews: CROSS THE LINE: A MUSICAL THEATRE REVUE Will Have You Humming Along

Every musical theatre junkie will agree that the best part of a good show is the old "song-and-dance." So what could be better than a revue that is just one song right after the other? NOT MUCH! Starlight Mountain Theatre's Dale Hoopes, who works as their educational and outreach director, put together a great song list from both very popular and lesser known musicals, such as RAGTIME, PIPPIN, GIGI, EDGES, CLOSER THAN EVER, RENT, BIG, and BYE, BYE BIRDIE. There were also some Disney songs thrown in, as well as a few chart-toppers.

I laughed, a lot, and thoroughly enjoyed getting to see everyone have a chance to shine. One of the most frustrating issues to deal with in any theatre group is waiting for a part to come along that suits your personal range and style. But in a musical revue, you can make it happen for each actor. That said, it was disappointing that there were a few songs that didn't really showcase the particular actors' best abilities. However, those pieces were far outnumbered by the truly excellent ones, and every actor did shine at some point. I know that summers with Starlight are incredibly busy, but I would suggest taking a little more time to pick not only good songs, but songs good for those performing.

The transistions between songs were great, having small bits to tie the songs together, as opposed to simply presenting a recital. Most of the time, the actors had good timing, allowing for the jokes to really give a punch. An example of this would be Jewels, a natural comedienne. Having primarily supporting roles throughout the summer, it was so exciting to see this young actress get to show her powerful, loving, and zany sides. She possesses such sparkle that you can't help but watch her. Dale Hoopes, in addition to directing and choreographing, was also a great addition to the performers. He is very engaging and likeable, and has a firm grasp on his vocal range. As in BIG RIVER, Jeremy Gross did not disappoint. His level of singing and acting ability, paired with extreme commitment to the part, simply cannot dissatisfy. I also really enjoyed "Love Is An Open Door" (Angie Carlson & Jakob Wachter), "Along The Way" (Roy Nichols III), and "Neat To Be A Newsboy" (Jordan Shuck).

This show only runs through August 28th, so do not hesitate to call 208-462-5523 and purchase your tickets now! Tickets are only $10 and all the proceeds benefit Starlight's Youth Programs.