Review: GIMME A BAND! GIMME A BANANA! THE CARMEN MIRANDA STORY Shines at Pointless Theatre

Our famous "Lady in the Tutti Fruti Hat" has been revived in Pointless Theatre's Women's Voices Theater Festival show, GIMME A BAND! GIMME A BANANA! THE CARMEN MIRANDA STORY. Under the direction of Roberta Alves and Matt Reckeweg and written by Mel Bieler and Patti Kalil, GIMME A BAND, GIMME A BANANA tells the story of legendary Carmen Miranda's life both on and off-stage. The show is a colorful production that will make you love and ache even more over Carmen Miranda's career and personal life.

Characteristic to Pointless Theatre's productions, GIMME A BAND, GIMME A BANANA relies very little on dialogue and instead uses puppetry, dance, and song to tell Carmen Miranda's story. The songs used in the play are based on songs that Carmen Miranda performed during her stardom, such as "The Enchilada Man," "The Lady in the Tutti Fruti Hat," and "I, Yi, Yi, Yi, Yi, Yi (I Like You Very Much)." As you watch much of the action unfold alongside the songs and music, it feels like a giddy celebration of Carmen Miranda, but it is all the more heartbreaking as you realize how her fame and "American transformation" seems to contribute greatly to her demise as a person.

While the entire ensemble is strong, two performances particularly stand out. Carmen Miranda is perfectly casted with Sharalys Silva, who is making her debut in the USA with this performance. Silva not only captures Carmen Miranda's class, flirtatiousness, and fun as a star but also the depth of Carmen Miranda as a person. Silva's singing, diction, and physical movements also truly encapsulate Carmen Miranda's style. Scott Whalen also gives an especially solid performance, full of slime and dollar signs as he plays the agent who initially brings Carmen Miranda to the states, Lee Shubert. Whalen also plays a hilarious and accurate Jerry Lewis in "The Enchilada Man" song.

Topping off the strong acting and storytelling, GIMME A BAND, GIMME A BANANA also has an excellent live music ensemble that is successfully incorporated into the show. Though the directors had a very small amount of space to work with, one of the most impressive aspects of the show is the choreography of movement for the musicians and cast throughout each scene, and how, while there is so much happening on the stage at one time (and at a fast pace), your focus is still pointed towards the main action.

Frank Labovitz's costume designs are on point and for Carmen Miranda, capture the star's rich wardrobe and luxurious hats. The set design, which was also created by playwrights Mel Bieler and Patti Kalil, is simple and effective, using both miniature and exaggerated cut-outs to create time and place.

GIMME A BAND, GIMME A BANANA is an intriguing and creative production that makes you see Carmen Miranda in a new light, especially if you only knew her as the "Lady in the Tutti Fruti Hat." The acting and story is both captivating and entertaining, connecting you to Carmen Miranda on a personal level. Overall, this is a show not to miss.

GIMME A BAND! GIMME A BANANA! THE CARMEN MIRANDA STORY plays at Logan Fringe Arts Space: Trinidad Theatre (1358 Florida Ave NE, Washington DC 20002) until November 14.

Running time: 70 minutes with one intermission

Tickets for the production can be purchased online at www.pointlesstheatre.com.

Photo credit: Navid Azeez

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