Bristol's 'Baby' is a Beauty

Why would anyone want to set this material to a musical? Because it just might be one of the most life altering yet human experiences ever.

The Bristol Riverside Theater (BRT) in Bristol, Pennsylvania, know for its many unique professional productions have scored well with this Maltby & Shire musical. The BRT took this show to the eighties where the original book by Sybille Pearson was first written in 1983.

The plot is simple; three couples, two college students, a pair of thirty-somethings and a middle aged couple face impending parenthood and the pending changes that each couple must deal with. The staging is simple. Much like the revolving stage of Les Miserables, Baby has a revolving community bed that is the focal point of show. As each couple share their fears hopes, and dreams about parenthood.

All three couples are well seasoned performers with credits ranging from Broadway and film to television. The young college couple (Danny and Lizzie) Steven Goldsmith and Betsy Morgan play their roles as anxious and uncertain new parents. Barely adults themselves, they grow and develop their relationship and face the reality that parenthood may not be as easy as their plans on paper.

Broadway stars, husband and wife Brad Little, The Phantom of The Opera and Barbara McCulloh, Peter Pan, The King and I, bring a wealth of experience to the roles of Nick and Pam, the 30's aged couple. This energetic and athletic pair become delightfully frustrated as the infertile couple who work hard to conceive without losing their minds or their sense of humor. One thing is always present with Little and McCulloh is their charming and realistic chemistry. Little proves to wear his comedy mask just as well as his Phantom mask as he offers to send his wife "to the moon," Gleason- style and McCulloh gives him several Lucille Ball moments to encourage that behavior.

Our middle aged couple Anna and Alan (Leslie Becker and Tim Ewing) accept parenthood a bit more calmly, actually in a bit of shock and dazed about the reality of a fourth child on its way with a youngest daughter in college. This all too familiar situation seriously challenges their frailty and future as a couple. Both are heartwarming.

Not to be taken all too seriously is the clever, charming score written for this schmaltzy sometimes gooey story. All three of the dads find themselves in a softball field batting and belting out a jazzy "Fatherhood Blues", while the would-be mom's are introduced and each come to life in their own versions of "I Want it All" in the doctor's office waiting room.

There are tender songs, such as "I Know I Chose Right" and "Two People In Love" as Danny and Lizzie express their loyalty to each other, as well as questioning songs such as "And What If We Had Loved Like That?" as Alan and Arlene face the prospect of parting ways. There are the good old "love conquers all songs" such as Nick and Pam's "With You" and the reality of the song "Romance", a little ditty about three minuets of passion or planned conception in this case.

There are soaring solos such as "The Story Goes On" sung powerfully by the young Betsy Morgan and the heartfelt "Patterns" poignantly sung by Leslie Becker as she reflects her predictable life.

Not to be overlooked is the role of the ditsy , poor sited doctor played by BRT favorite Edward Keith Baker who always brings something special to Bristol's productions. All in all, Bristol has given birth to another award winning production with Baby.

Baby- Book by Sybille Pearson, Music by David Shire & Richard Maltby, Jr., Director/Choreography: DJ Salisbury

Photo Credits: David Abers, Bristol Riverside Theater

Baby plays at the Bristol Riverside Theater through May 21^st, 2006.

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