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Mid-Life: The Crisis Musical
By Bob Walton and Jim Walton
Directed by Michael Weber
Produced by Noble Fool Theatricals
At Pheasant Run Resort
4051 E. Main St.
St. Charles, IL
Call 630-584-6342 for tickets:
$27 Thu./Fri. (dinner pkg. $49), $38 Sat. / Sun. (dinner pkg. $60)
Thu. & Fri. at 8:00, Sat. at 5:00 8:30, Sun. at 2:00
Additional matinees Sept. 27 and Oct. 11 at 2:00
Running time 1 hour, 50 minutes with intermission
Through November 3
Mid-Life: The Crisis Musical sings and dances while delivering many laughs
Noble Fool Theatrical’s Chicago premier of Mid-Life: The Crisis Musical is a fast-paced song and dance revue that brings mid-life to life with all of its inherent aches and pains. There’s no cure for the condition, but the premise of this show is that it’s easily managed with a healthy dose of therapeutic laughter. Director Michael Weber has pulled together a veteran professional cast for this production and together they keep the audience laughing non-stop from beginning to end.
There is nothing unexpected in this lively spoof – medical humor, family crises, memory lapses, and plastic surgery abound – but as predictable as the content is, each witty number delights. Lyrics and timing are what keep this show moving. Rather than wallowing in mid-life stereotypes, the musical pirouettes, glides and slashes its way through them. The show is perfectly cast. Michael Accardo, Jane Brewer, Anne Gunn, Mary K. Nigohosian, Tom Shea, and John Vessels are all professional actors who not only never miss a beat, but can also sing and dance. Mid-life: The Crisis Musical is heads above most Vegas revues and well worth the trip out to St. Charles.
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There are some tender moments in between the laughs, as well. Take for instance the second act’s “The Long Goodbye” dealing with caring for aging parents. We see a group of mid-lifers gathered as on a playground while they watch their parents, not their children, romping about. “I never thought I’d be making play dates for my dad.” And there’s the sympathetic guy crooning about his lost love: his hair, of course. Not really lost, as it turns out, merely misplaced. As I said, it’s predictable, but I dare you not to laugh.
In addition to the wonderful cast, the production support of Mid-Life: The Crisis Musical is even and well done. The set is functional and beautiful; costumes are creative and plentiful, and each musical number is introduced with projections on flanking screens that provide eye-chart jumbles of letters dissolving into titles that amuse. Little touches add so much to this production. Entrances and exits are lightning quick – “where did she come from?” – and pianist Ken Jones consistently provides just the right note.
If you are looking for high-brow sophistication, Mid-Life: The Crisis Musical is not the show for you, but if you are looking for an evening of light entertainment that will amuse virtually everyone, load up the family and head to Pheasant Run. The theatre there is beautiful and there are several choices for dining including specially priced dinner and show packages that include a meal at the highly rated Harvest Restaurant in the resort.
RECOMMENDED
Randy Hardwick
randyontheglobe@yahoo.com for comments
Date Reviewed: September 15, 2007
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