Review: WIND ME UP, MARIA! A GO-GO MUSICAL at Georgetown University

Natsu Onoda Power is one of the most creative forces in DC theatre. With such credits as Yellow Face at Theater J and Astro Boy and the God of Comics at Studio Theatre, Power's productions are always visually stunning and very clear in the way she tells a story. This review starts as it does because I want it to be perfectly clear that I am a big admirer of Power's work upfront. Unfortunately, her latest endeavor goes against everything I just said.

Wind Me Up, Maria! A Go-Go Musical is a world premiere piece that was created and directed by Power. It is a co- production between the Georgetown University Theater & Performance Studies Program, Mask & Bauble Dramatic Society and Black Theatre Ensemble. Go-Go music was created by DC music local legend Chuck Brown and gets its name from the musical beats that just go and go. It's a combo of funk and jazz with a heavy percussive and driving sound. Remember the word percussive as this review goes on.

Power's main storyline is a modern riff on The Sound of Music only now its set in DC instead of Austria. Maria Anacostia (Myiah Sahulga Smith) is a college student looking for a summer job. Her professor, Sherry Kalorama (Kate Ginna), hooks her up with her friend, Ms. Kay Street (Mar J. Cox), for a nanny position. Ms. Street adopted six very precocious kids, but she is also very busy jetting all over to third world countries trying to make the world a better place. As opposed to "Do-Re-Mi," Maria introduces the children to Go-Go music.

The most intriguing of the Street kids is an Asian American named Joseph (Ray Gao). He is very lonely and has taken to using dating sites to meet people. When he meets an adult UPS delivery man named Terrence Shipley (Jonathan Austin Kyle Compo) things get uncomfortable. Shipley is essentially in a relationship with an underage child. After meeting him, Ms. Street approves of the two seeing each other. Mind you, this is after Joseph uses Terrence's wallet to get into a Go-Go concert after Terrence left his wallet behind at Joseph's house.

Then we have a side story that involves Maria and a Go-Go promoter named Barnaby "Barn" Woods (David Toledo) and a stolen diamond, which is the least interesting of the plotlines. Oh, and the ghost of Chuck Brown is in there too.

I said earlier to remember the word percussive and now here's why. A terrific eighteen piece Go-Go band under the direction of Charles "Shorty Corleone" Garris underscores Power's store. Drums and Congas are very much prevalent in the musical arrangements. As we all probably know, those kinds of instruments don't need amplification, but for some reason sound designer Sean Craig thinks otherwise. The result is the audience not being able to hear much of the dialogue even though most of the cast is mic'd. Sometimes you just scratch your head and move on.

Power's story is a good enough idea, but in my opinion, she should stick to the story of Maria and the kids being turned on to Go-Go music and jettison everything else. The production could also benefit from a choreographer as it looks like the performers are left to their own devices when it comes to movement.

The ensemble does what they can with lack of movement guidance. They do, however, start the show off with a burst of energy in one of the most inventive "turn off your cellphone" announcements I've ever seen. It's not just an announcement; it's a full blown musical number.

The production features several strong performances.

Myiah Sahulga Smith gives a standout performance as Maria. She is totally convincing in her portrayal of a young person that wants to introduce others to DC's very own music. She carries the show to places that a lesser actress would not have.

I really enjoyed Ray Gao as Joseph. You get the sense of want in his characterization and realize how desperate he is for friendship.

As Maria's friend Morgan Adams. Vanessa Chapoy has the fastest mouth in the west. I found her to be both charming and hilarious.

The production also features some strong technical designs.

Paige Hathaway proves again why she is one of the best set designers around. Her unit set takes you inside Ben's Chili Bowl with remarkable accuracy. It uses every inch of the Gonda Theatre to full potential complete with a platform so the band can be hidden when it needs to be.

Tobin D. Clark's lighting has some fun effects and Frank Labovitz does his usual stellar job with the costumes.

Wind Me Up, Maria! A Go-Go Musical, as it stands now, needs a recharge. If Professor Natsu Onoda Power could have focused the show better, it would have matched what I am accustomed to seeing from Power as an artist and - at the same time - provide greater opportunities for the performers to shine.

Running Time: Two hours and five minutes with one intermission.

Wind Me Up, Maria! A Go-Go Musical runs through November 12th 2016 at the Davis Performing Arts Center, Gonda Theatre at Georgetown University which is located at 3700 O St NW, Washington, DC. For tickets, click here.

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