Me and My Girl
by Starlight Musical Theatre
by Starlight Musical Theatre
If money can't buy me love, can British pounds end the love between Me and My Girl? What if that's 100,000 £ a year (and that's back in 1937), and includes a grand estate with servants to boot?
For Bill Snibson (David Brannen), that possibility is never an option. Bill is the poor but happy cockney who learns that he's the heir to the Hareford Earldom. But only on the condition that he learn to present himself as a member of the nobility, and that he marry a blueblood. Therein lies the biggest problem. For Bill has a girl in Lambeth, Sally Smith (Alexandra Auckland), without whom the money and estate becomes pointless. But can he manage to get the money and the girl? You can bet he's going to try!
This "rich" comedy delivers with sterling humor and a treasure trove of puns. Bill Snibson is the epicenter of the fun, and David Brannen is a master of the physical comedy that makes this character so hilarious. The "cape scene" must rank as the best, where David performs all manner of miraculous feats with his royal red cape trimmed with that lovely vermin: ermine. But the "couch scene" is a riot as well, where Bill must fend off the temptations of his beautiful and seductive new cousin, Lady Jacquie (Kim Arnett), who has her eyes set on Bill. Uh, not to mention his new fortune! Fortunately he's successful in his fending. Well, with only a few minor lapses ...
But there's no way Lady Jacquie can steal Bill from Sally Smith. Alexandra Auckland is the irresistibly sweet Sally, clearly Bill's natural sidekick in life. Alexandra's exuberance and winsome grin make it immediately apparent that she's the one Bill has to end up with, or the audience will go home angry! But as Sally, she's also the only one who could make that potentially "unhappy" ending come true. Knowing that Bill will lose his inheritance if he stays with her, she feels she has to do what's best for him. Even if that means running away. Which leads to the only downbeat song in the show, Once You Lose Your Heart, beautifully sung by Alexandra.
The rest of the cast was also strong: Kim Arnett (Lady Jacquie) for her part in the "couch scene," her scheming smile, and terrific dancing. Andy Collins (Gerald Bollingbroke) as the nasally nerd who wants Lady Jacquie for himself. John Martin as the dancing/singing "family solicito'," Herbert Parchester. The whipped but not beaten Sir John Tremayne (Michael Grant Hall), who realizes that love is more important than society. And the longed for love of his life, Starlight regular Priscilla Allen (Duchess Maria), the matriarch who will make the final decision concerning love and money.
An extraordinarily sharp and lively ensemble make the big musical numbers work, aided also by a stylish set design by The Set Company and by Costume Designer Kathy Auckland's elegant gowns for the rich and excellent 1930's-era garb for the poor. Sound Designer Steve Stopper had everything working remarkably well for an outdoor amphitheatre.
The songs are good and cheerful, if not entirely memorable. Well, except for its big number, the energizing Lambeth Walk, aka the song that never ends and will play in your head longer than It's a Small World. Oy! But don't let that worry you. Me and My Girl is one of the best comedies ever and a sure-to-please hit for everyone with a sense of humor, whether their blood is red or blue.
Rob Hopper
San Diego Playbill
~ Cast ~
Bill Snibson: David Brannen
Sally Smith: Alexandra Auckland
Duchess Maria: Priscilla Allen
Sir John Tremayne: Michael Grant Hall
Lady Jaqueline: Kim Arnett
Gerald Bollingbroke: Andy Collins
Herbert Parchester: John Martin
Lord Battersby: James A. Marshall
Lady Battersby: Anita Colet
Sir Jasper Tring: Mark Petrich
Charles Heathersett, the Butler: Charles Hand
Stockholders:
George Cosentini
Aurelio "Rocky" DeHaro
Philip Golden
Mrs. Worthington-Worthington: Jodie Bowman
Lady Damming: Annette Nixon
Lady Brighton: Jenny Rebecca Bates
Bob Barking: Kurt Norby
Telegraph Boy: Jon Kenneth
Mrs. Brown: Jodie Bowman
Constable: Trevor Hollingsworth
Understudy for Lady Jacqueline: Jenny Rebecca Bates
Ensemble:
Jenny Rebecca Bates
Jodie Bowman
Mark Capobianco
George Consentini
Aurelio "Rocky" DeHaro
Pippa de Launay
Philip Golden
Debbie Gorman
Trevor Hollingsworth
Kristen Howarth
Jon Kennette
Annette Nixon
Kurt Norby
Stephanie Saunders
Bryan Schmidtberger
Samantha Stiglitz
Christine Timmons
Director: Dan Regas
Musical Director and Conductor: Parmer Fuller
Costume Designer: Kathy Auckland
Lighting Designer: Eric Lotze
Sound Designer: Steve Stopper
Set Designer: The Set Company
Choreographer: Ray Limon
Production Stage Manager: Debbie Luce
Assistant Artistic Director: Jeannette Thomas
Assistant Musical Director: Daniel Greenbush
Producing Artistic Director: Brian Wells
