BWW Reviews: SRO's RUTHLESS! THE MUSICAL Is a Gem

Standing Room Only Productions' RUTHLESS! THE MUSICAL serves up heavy doses of wit and hilarity. Created by Marvin Laird and Joel Paley and named best off-Broadway musical in 1992, RUTHLESS! THE MUSICAL is a silly theatrical parody of what it's like to be in show business.

In the world of show business, you are either at the top or at the bottom. What would you do to get to the top? Are you willing to be ruthless? Eight year old Tina Denmark is. Tina is full of talent. She sings, she dances and everything in between. Tina believes that she was born to be a star, as does her new talent agent Sylvia St. Croix. The first step to stardom is winning the lead in the school play. Unfortunately, the lead role goes to less-talented but more well-connected Louise, making Tina the understudy. Well, that isn't good enough for Tina, who ruthlessly murders Louise and goes on as the show's star.

The casting for this production is right on the money. The six performers don't hold anything back as they crank up the melodrama and go all out with their hysterical characterizations.

Shining bright as can be is Miss Sarah Leonard as Tina Denmark. Filled with the same wealth of talent that her character possesses, Leonard sings and acts with abandon. She is adorable in a sinister kind of way and vice versa as she charms the audience with "innocent" little smirks and bright eyes. She knows how to play up the cuteness and then quickly remind everyone that she's a force to be reckoned with.

Lindsay Kersey plays Tina's mother Judy Denmark. She fabulously portrays the cookie baking, normal life loving, "untalented" housewife that is devoted to her daughter's every whim. She is very good at depicting a very June Cleaver meets Stepford wife persona. She's a hoot playing the demureness of her character very ostentatiously. When Judy's past comes to light, Kersey transforms that personality into a bonafide diva complete with chutzpah and pizzazz. Not to mention each personality comes with its own set of powerhouse vocals.

Although written for an all-female cast, it's become tradition for electric talent agent Sylvia St. Croix to be played by a male. Jay Menchaca plays the part of Sylvia with gusto and makes one genuinely unforgettable woman. Playing it straight with no nods to the audience, he lets his extravagant gestures and exuberant nature take him over-the-top. He's an unstoppable force as a she and extremely fun to watch.

Katy Butler partakes in dual roles, the first being untalented and later doomed little Louise Lermen. In this role she's a little bratty and a little sassy, and it's understandable to see why Tina wanted her gone. In her second role she plays Eve, the annoyingly ambitious assistant. She's still a little bratty and a little sassy, but as an adult we love her with all the sashaying and eye rolling. It's pure gold for Butler and she garners some heavy laughs.

Lauren Hainley, also playing dual roles as the bitter third-grade drama teacher Miss Myrna Thorn and reporter Emily Brock, delivers a stirring performance in both roles. As Miss Thorn, Hainley's rendition of "Teaching Third Grade" is especially effective. She's a scene stealer for sure.

Performer Cheryl Duffin is priceless as infamous Lita Encore, the theatre critic who doesn't like theatre, and revels in panning performances. Her big number, "I Hate Musicals," is one of the funniest songs and Duffin sure belts it out as she shimmies about the stage. Her character Lita Encore might hate musicals, but she's be hard pressed to write badly about Duffin.

Christine Weems directs the play with a keen eye on pacing and energy. All of the actors attack the material with such zeal, keeping the energy ramped up so that the campiness never drags. The pacing is well timed and the cues are dead on, keeping the audience responsive. Combined with great acting and superb vocals, it's a solid production.

RUTHLESS! is not often done, which is surprising because it is such a deliciously campy yet familiar musical. The zany characters, crazy plot twists and even some of the lines poke fun at "Gypsy," "Mommie Dearest," "The Bad Seed" and "Mame" among others. The lyrics are clever and exceptionally catchy.

If you're looking for a mentally challenging evening of theatre then this isn't it. RUTHLESS! THE MUSICAL is not meant to make you think very deeply. It's meant to free your mind for an exhilarating experience where you can leave your problems at the door and settle in for some laughs. With that in mind, Standing Room Only Productions hits the mark with a spirited cast. They will turn that frown upside down and leave you yearning for more.

SRO's production of RUTHLESS! THE MUSICAL can be seen at Obsidian Art Space through February 28th. For tickets and more information, visit www.sro-productions.com.

Photo Credit: Christine Weems

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