Review: David Campbell Is Sensational As Bobby Darin In The World Premiere Of DREAM LOVER: THE BOBBY DARIN MUSICAL

Thursday 6th October 2016, 7:30pm, Lyric Theatre Sydney

New musical DREAM LOVER: THE Bobby Darin MUSICAL is an amazing, honest tribute to the life of the American singer, songwriter, actor and political activist. Presented by an Australian cast and creatives, this production of the inspiring and heartbreaking story, adapted for the stage by Frank Howson, Simon Phillips and Carolyn Burns, based on the stage play by Frank Howson and John Michael Howson, also proves that Australia has some incredible talent and can create works filled with emotion and energy and rival anything Broadway or the West End can produce.

Directed by Simon Phillips, DREAM LOVER: THE Bobby Darin MUSICAL focuses on the music that Bobby Darin was famous for, whilst still ensuring that his life that was filled with secrets and bombshells is explored with sensitivity. Set Designer Brian Thomson sets the tone of the night with a black glitter bandstand that curves around a grand piano and reaches up to the arched 'roof' and proscenium, lined with lightbulbs, and evoking memories of the iconic Sunset arches of Radio City Music Hall and the supper clubs of the 1930's and 40's.

This set allows for a stunning entrance as David Campbell, as Bobby Darin, is revealed at the top of the bandstand stairs, quickly followed by a mysterious entourage of Fosse-esque dancers in black coats and hats. The premise of the show is a flashback over the singer's life, triggered at the end of a concert. The older Darin recalls memories of the woman he believed to be his mother, Polly Cassotto (Caroline O'Connor), his childhood self (portrayed by Brendan Godwin on Opening Night), the woman he believed was his sister Nina (Marney McQueen) and her husband Charlie (Bert La Bonte). As Darin's memories play out, minor set additions change the area upstage of the bandstand to represent the Cassotto's Bronx home, agents offices, movie shoots, nightclubs, and Darin's Los Angeles home.

David Campbell is a perfect fit to play Bobby Darin, the determined young man that wouldn't let a childhood diagnosis of Rheumatic fever stop him from conquering the American entertainment industry. Campbell has previously stated that he has had a long connection and love of Bobby Darin's music and story and that his own personal life has parallels with Darin's. This deep understanding, adoration and affection shows in his phenomenal performance. His boyish charm allows Campbell to capture Darin's growth and maturity from a High School Senior, turning down the opportunity to go to college in favour of following his dream of being "bigger than Al Jolson", to the 37 year old that won't slow down regardless of doctors and loved ones urging him to slow down. Vocally Campbell captures Darin's range of rock, jazz, folk, swing and country with wonderful recreations of signature songs, ensuring that he also includes Darin's awareness of favourable sustained vowel sounds. Campbell's concert and cabaret background ensures that, unlike other musical theatre performers, he connects with his audience, grabbing eye contact and drawing the audience in to the experience of being in a supper club rather than a 2000+ capacity theatre. His reactions are detailed and honest, with fabulous little facial expressions and a sincerity that he is enjoying himself or feeling the force of the emotion underlying a moment.

Brendan Godwin presents an innocence and determination of the young Bobby and later as a young Dodd, Bobby and Sandra's son. As Dodd, Godwin expresses the son's devotion to his father when he returns for visits following Darin and Dee's divorce. His simple gestures of exploring Darin's suitcase following his father's death is moving in its tenderness and interest.

As the other half of Hollywood's golden couple, Bobby's wife, movie star Sandra Dee, Hannah Friedricksen captures the young starlet's growth from sheltered young woman to world weary mother that didn't stop loving her ex-husband. Friedricksen conveys the apparently 18 year old Dee's innocence and aloofness and when Dee and Darin met filming Come September. With clothes and wig change, as well as deportment, she expresses Dee's growth to wife, revealing her own secrets, to mother dealing with raising a child whilst following her husband around the country as he toured. Like Campbell, Friedricksen presents Dee with a sensitivity and honesty which draws sympathy and understanding from the audience.

Doubling the roles of Bobby's mother Polly Cosotto and Sandra's mother Mary Douvan, Caroline O'Connor is brilliant. As Polly, O'Connor has a devotion, care and compassion which is a contrast to the expression of the cold, calculating, manipulative and overbearing Mary. O'Connor's comic timing and cheeky, playful nature shines and Polly's background as a vaudeville performer ensures that we get to see O'Connor Dance.

As Bobby's long suffering agent Steve Blauner, Martin Crewes is engaging and endearing. Crewes and Campbell have a delightful energy and chemistry that ensures that the strong bond between artist and agent is clear. Crewes also has a charming comic style of little looks that convey Blauner's exasperation with Bobby, from his brutal schedule to his changes in temperament and stylings. He has a strong rich voice that exudes Blauner's enthusiasm and eagerness to sign Darin and the delight that their partnership is paying off whilst the two men become friends.

The other major male figure in Darin's life was his sister's husband Charlie, presented with heart by Bert LaBonte. There is a heartbreaking tenderness when Charlie tracks Darin down and confesses that he always felt like Bobby's father and LaBonte makes it evident throughout the story that Charlie felt this guardianship over Darin. As with Crewes, LaBonte also has a marvellous connection with Campbell which helps cement the characters' relationship as more than just a brother in law.

Marney McQueen presents Chris' wife, the woman that Bobby thought was his sister, Nina, with a distance that could be attributed to Nina's desire to hide the truth from Bobby but still doesn't warm when she reveals her secret. Whilst all the other leading roles conveyed an honesty and connection between the performer and the character, this emotional connection is at best tenuous in both the expression and the vocalisation.

The performance is supported by Daniel Edmonds' (Musical Director/Piano) 18 piece band which remains on stage in the bandstand throughout, turning the music into another character in the story to an extent.

The ensemble presents Andrew Hallsworth's choreography with precision as they take on the big chorus lines of the era that saw streams of dancers on stairs and across the stage. Hallsworth has drawn on a variety of influences from Bob Fosse, Las Vegas showgirls, vaudeville dancers, rock and roll and 70's pop to help illustrate the stories and changes in timeline. Tim Chappel's fabulous costumes range from simple black coats and hats to Las Vegas style feather confections and other designs that capture the changing trends.

DREAM LOVER: THE Bobby Darin MUSICAL is a must see show for both its story and David Campbell and the Australian cast's outstanding performance which garnered a standing ovation on Opening Night. With the heart, emotion, honesty and chemistry the cast convey, plus Campbell's own personal connection, this is much more than just another Juke Box Musical. DREAM LOVER THE Bobby Darin MUSICAL is a life's legacy, a love story, a tale of dedication and determination, and a story of the lasting impact of lies and deception, regardless of how good the intention may have been.

DREAM LOVER: THE Bobby Darin MUSICAL

Lyric Theatre, Sydney

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