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Nine—The Musical
Book by Arthur Kopit
Music & Lyrics by Maury Yeston
Adapted from the Italian by Mario Fratti
Based on the film “81/2” by Federico Fellini
Directed by L. Walter Stearns
Music Director Eugene Dizon
Choreographer Brenda Didier
Produced by Porchlight Music Theatre Chicago
At the Theatre Building Chicago
1225 W. Belmont Ave.
Chicago, IL
Call 773-327-5252, tickets $34 - $35
Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm
Sundays at 2:30 pm
Running time is 2 hours, 15 minutes with intermission
Through May 18, 2008
Stellar production of Nine unfolds as special treat
In the 30 year history of the Theatre Building Chicago, there has never been a completely stripped to the walls production in their North theatre until Porchlight Music Theatre mounted their fine production of Nine. The stage emerged large to accommodate the ambitious production of the musical based on midlife crisis of Italian film director Guido Contini (who is based on the real life of Federico Fellini) played here by Jeff Parker. The famed musical by Arthur Kopit with music and lyrics by Maury Yeston (Titanic, Phantom, Grand Hotel), Nine, is a sophisticated, sexy musical that tells Guido’s story on his fortieth birthday that finds him in a personal and professional crisis.
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The womanizing Italian director has a large stable of beautiful, sexy woman each of whom he has an intimate past relationship. There is Luisa (Heather Townsend) his wife; Carla (Maggie Portman), his mistress. Guido is an over sexed, narcissistic, lying, manipulative user of women—a pure hedonist. His film making reflects his personality: “Even if I set out to make a film about a fillet of sole, it would be about me,” states Fellini. Nine follows that quote effectively as Fellini loved the musical.
Nine features excellent harmonies from the chorus of women in Guido’s life. Add Claudia Nardi (Marie Svejda-Groh), his former protégée, Lilane La Fleur (Danielle Brothers), his producer and Stephanie (Brigitte Ditmars), a critic and Guido’s life is filled with sex and more sex. Sarraghina (Bethany Thomas), a voluptuous whore and his mother (Kristen Freilich) round out his women.
Act one features several strong show stoppers like “Follies Bergeres” lead by the terrific belter, Danielle Brothers. Several winning tunes included Guido’s song highlight Guido’s affairs. Bethany Thomas leads young Guido (Matthew Gold) and the middle aged Guido in the delightfully zesty “Be Italian,” an ode to the Italian mystique.
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Act two finds Nine moving into an operetta style as Guido decides to film an musical about Casanova. Claudio and Guido sing a fine duet “A Man like You.” Marvelous music and excellent singing from Guido and the female ensemble fuels Nine into a wonderful musical. We see how Guido eventually loses most of the ladies in his life. Nine is a stylized, slick, well sung and sophisticated musical long on sensuality and emotional performances. Jeff Parker is sensational as Guido. Eugene Dizon’s orchestra filled the stage with Yeston’s haunting music. Director Walter Stearns has a smoothly engaging show that intertwines artsy movement and clever choreography (by Brenda Didier) to tell Guido’s story.
Porchlight’s production values are tight and ambitious. Nine has many pluses.
Recommended
Tom Williams
Tom99@chicagocritic.com for comments
Talk Theatre in Chicago podcast
Date Reviewed: April 6, 2008
Jeff Recommended
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