Directed and choreographed by Don and Bonnie Ward, and starring their son Kirby Ward, his wife and San Diego Junior Theatre alum Beverly Ward, and Don Ward himself as snappy dance instructor Mr. Magix, they lead a group of top-notch hoofers in this romantic musical comedy farce filled with a collection of Gershwin tunes including Funny Face, Kickin’ The Clouds Away, ‘S Wonderful, the touching Nice Work If You Can Get It, and the energizing Strike Up the Band.

The storyline that brings all these tunes together is set in 1927 as hickish flying ace Billy Buck Chandler (Kirby Ward) is preparing to achieve fame by making the first non-stop transatlantic flight from New York to St. Louis. But he gets blown a little off course when he finds himself on the wings of love upon running into famous English Channel swimmer-turned-dancer Edythe Herbert (Beverly Ward). Billy Buck doesn’t exactly fit her amusing ad for Boy Wanted, but mild interest and her desperate need to get away from her crude, blackmailing manager Prince Nikki (Marc Ciemiewicz) draws their fates together.

With its purposely cheesy script, the show boasts charming romance between the two leads and plenty of humor – from head-over-heels Billy trying to woo the girl with his silver-tongued Blah, Blah, Blah to the other unlikely love story between the wicked Prince Nikki and Billy’s tomboyish mechanic Mickey (Stacy Goldsmith). But this show’s strength lies in its extraordinary tap numbers that includes big routines by their slick ensemble, some great duets by the Wards who literally make a splash on stage when they tap on the beach of a lonely island, and to top it off, father-and-son team Kirby and Don Ward duel it out with their feet with style and flair in an extended showdown that demonstrates their creativity, their talent, and how lucky we are to have them all here in San Diego.

Production runs through July 3, 2004.

Rob Hopper
San Diego Playbill