Garland Civic Theatre presents Carnival
Carnival
Directed by Patty Granville
Music Directed by Jon Schweikhard
Orchestra Members Erin McGrew, Bill Zauner, Randy Linberg, Bethany Hardwick, Mark Lara
Choreographed by Nick Leos and Patty Granville
Aerial Choreography by Truett Adams
Lighting Design by Hank Baldree
Costume Design by Kerra Sims
Scenic Design by Theresa Clapper and Wendy Woode
Consultant Buff Shurr
My thoughts on Carnival or…dusting off a classic
Garland Civic Theatre presents
Carnival
Music and Lyrics by Bob Merrill
Book by Michael Stewart
Based on material by Helen Duetsch
Directed by Patty Granville
Music Directed by Jon Schweikhard
Choreographed by Nick Leos and Patty Granville
Consultant Buff Shurr
The original Carnival opened on Broadway in 1961 and played for 719 performances. Through 2022 eyes it is a sweet, old-fashioned, sentimental show and very much a product of its time. In 1961. JFK was president, and the US was feeling secure and hopeful. This tale of Lili, an orphan girl obsessed with the carnival and a magician, is a reflection of the era when the pervading thought was that if you believe it and want it badly enough, everything will turn out fine.
This Carnival has excellent production values. The colorful set by Theresa Clapper and Wendy Woode immediately places you in the world of the slightly seedy, but enchanting. carnival as do the costumes by Kerra Sims. There is much that is literally magical about this production, from the clever tricks and fun puppets to the thrilling aerialists Truett Adams, Allison Larrea, and Jenny Malisheski to the high stepping choreography courtesy of Nick Leos and Director Patty Granville to the live orchestra directed by Jon Schweikard and it is all kept in focus by the lighting of Hank Baldree. Director Patty Granville keeps the carnival magic front and center, but never lets it get in the way of Lili’s story.
The cast here takes this dated show and gives it new luster. I enjoyed the Jacquot of Jeremy Duncan, especially when he kicked off the rousing “Grand Imperial Cirque de Paris.” David Tinney is a suitably curmudgeonly as the carnival manager and ring master Schlegel and gets the show underway with the opening number, “Direct from Vienna.” Real life husband wife team Steve and Whitney Golin as Marko the Magnificent and his mistress and assistant Rosalie add both humor and a bit of drama to the production. These are both plum roles and the Golins are terrific. Whitney Golin is especially good at comic delivery and her expressions alone brought forth much laughter. Michael Said makes the not so honorable Grobert a man you love to hate, and Troy Murray is much fun as the bunny toting Dr. Glass. This large, hardworking, talented ensemble also includes Truett Adams, Emma Triana, Devin Johnson, Erik Ho, Jonathan Luce, Jennifer Malisheski, Allison Larrea, Adelina Clamser, BJ Austin, Bella Ritter, Carly Mitchell, and Rachel Vines.
The two stars of Carnival are Brandon Borick and DonnaMarie Knight and they give new meaning to the word stellar. I have never seen Brandon Borick in a production before, but I will definitely see all future ones. His powerful tenor mesmerized me and his performance as the troubled, physically disabled Paul was complex and moving. I kept thinking what an amazing Sweeney Todd he could be when he ages into the part. I have been a major fan of DonnaMarie Knight since I first saw her in the Firehouse Theatre’s production of Legally Blonde last year and she is even more phenomenal here in the lead role of Lili. Knight, in addition to her remarkable soprano, brings a depth of character to Lili that makes her naive, charming, and never less than thrilling to watch. She is reminiscent of a young Judy Garland with her wide-eyed innocence. Knight is what star power is all about.
Yes, Carnival is old fashioned, but its gentle, loving spirit is infectious, and Director Granville has pulled out all the stops to make the production entertaining. Its message of the power of love still resonates today and makes Carnival a winning and winsome evening of theater.
Photo by Jamie Brogdon Photography
