Review: CITY OF ANGELS Opens With a Bang!

Picture this: a quartet hanging around a lamppost in 1940's Hollywood dressed in warm yellow and red tones, singing in close harmony while shadowy gray figures dance in the background. A shot rings out and CITY OF ANGELS opens with a bang at the Omaha Community Playhouse.

This Tony Award-winning musical from 1990 is new, because it's old. Set in the 1940's, this is an ingenious parallel story of Stine, a novelist working on his book and Stone, his imagined private detective lead character. It is film noir. What is film noir, you might wonder? According to Wikipedia, "film noir" is a cinematic term used primarily to describe stylish Hollywood crime dramas, particularly such that emphasize cynical attitudes and sexual motivations." CITY OF ANGELS nails it.

With music by Cy Coleman and lyrics by David Zippel, the pace is quick and clever. The book, written by Larry Gelbart who is well known for creating and producing the hit TV series M*A*S*H*, is rife with double entendre and witty comebacks.

There is everything to like about this show. It is entertaining...no deep meanings, no dwelling on life's problems-- just a poke in the eye to Hollywood's movie industry and a satirical look at murder, mystery, and mayhem.

Jim Othuse's set is perfectly suited to the double story line. It changes from smoky shades of gray in the "reel" world to full color when back to the "real" world. Lights shine down from different angles on the ceiling, making a crosspatch of light across the stage. The famous Hollywood sign shines in the background, invoking a feeling of glamour and nostalgia.

Georgiann Regan's costumes are also just right. A glittery golden gown on the glamorous lounge singer Bobbi, a mustard colored 1940's dress on a quartet singer, a yellow plaid vest--there is a golden glow of Hollywood. Contrast this with characters costumed in every conceivable shade of gray living in the mind of the screenwriter.

Jeff Horger, the Associate Artistic Director of the Omaha Community Playhouse, deftly directs the many moving parts of CITY OF ANGELS. Stine's re-writes are humorous as he types out his revisions and his characters adjust their lines as they literally backtrack across the stage. The switch offs between reality and imagination are never confusing.

CITY OF ANGELS boasts a strong cast. John E. Jones as Stine and Isaac Reilly as his alter ego Stone are perfectly matched. "You're Nothing Without Me" is not only wonderful as a duet, it sets the premise for the whole story. Stine is the writer who lives to create: Stone is his creation who justifies his writing.

Steve Krambeck, with his usual flair for comedy, is funny as the irascible and skirt-chasing producer Buddy Fiddler. Samantha Quintana shines as both Stone's Girl Friday and Buddy's secretary. She belts out "You Can Always Count on Me," which draws cheers from the audience. Shomari Huggins who plays dual roles Pancho Vargas/Lt Manny Munoz takes over the stage in "All You Have to Do is Wait" showing off his impressive vocals and ability to work the stage. Angie Jensen Frey sizzles in her torch song, "With Every Breath I Take," and Jodi Vaccaro is spot on as the seductress Alaura Kingsley/Carla Haywood. There are no weak links in this cast.

If you want sheer entertainment for an evening out, CITY OF ANGELS is my #1 pick.

Photo Credit: Colin Conces

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