Review: Hello! THE BOOK OF MERMAN's Coming Up Roses, at Triangle Productions!

What could be better than a THE BOOK OF MORMON parody featuring Ethel Merman? If you said "nothing," you're right! triangle productions! current show is all TBOM fans, Merman fans, and anyone else who likes a good time could possibly need for a night's entertainment.

Here's the scoop: Mormon missionaries Elder Shumway (played by Collin Carver) and Elder Braithwaite (played by Will Shindler) knock on a door only to discover that the home belongs to none other than Ethel Merman. As in the Ethel Merman, who did not in fact die in 1984 as stated in her biography and who now just needs to get to the DMV. What follows is a heart-warming tale of self-discovery, self-acceptance, and a whole lotta love.

THE BOOK OF MERMAN was written by multi-award-winning composer Leo Schwartz. The music consists mostly of parodies of tunes from THE BOOK OF MORMON as well as the songs that made Merman famous, including classics from GYPSY, ANNIE GET YOUR GUN, and ANYTHING GOES. Don't worry if you are unfamiliar with TBOM or Merman's oeuvre -- you'll still get 90% of the jokes and have 100% of the fun. There is also a song called "Because of You," which I think is original and is one of the most beautiful new love songs I've heard in awhile.

The three-person cast is great. Amy Jo Halliday is an awesome Merman -- she's got the voice and she's also really funny. Watch for the scene when she eats a chocolate she doesn't like -- hysterical. Carver and Shindler are endearing as sincere Mormon missionaries struggling to convince Merman that they aren't just there to sell magazines and learning a little something about themselves in the process. I especially liked Shindler, who is super-charming in his Portland debut.

Don Horn's direction is great, and I appreciated the decision to not use microphones. At past triangle musicals, I've found the buzzing of the mics to be grating, and although Carver and Shindler don't quite have the belting power of a Merman, it was still a much more intimate and enjoyable experience without the amplification.

So, brush up on your Ethel Merman impression (if you're lucky, you might get to display it) and head over to triangle productions! to see THE BOOK OF MERMAN. You won't regret it!

THE BOOK OF MERMAN plays through December 19. Get your tickets at www.tripro.org.

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