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The Water Coolers
An Office Musical
Created by Thomas Michael Allen
& Sally Allen
Written by Thomas Michael Allen, Joe Allen,
Marya Grandy & E. Andrew Sensenig
Directed by Kurt Johns and Linda Parsons
Produced by Libby Adler Mages, Scott Goodman, Chris Ritter,
Craig Golden, Tony D’Angelo and Michael Hendricks
At the Lakeshore Theater
3175 N. Broadway
Chicago, IL
Call 773-472-3492, tickets $45
Thursdays & Fridays at 8 PM
Saturdays at 5 & 8 PM
Sundays at 3 PM
Running time is 90 minutes with intermission
Through October 29, 2006
The Water Coolers pokes fun at the modern work place
The Water Coolers: An Office Musical reminds one of the long running I Love You, You’re Perfect Now Change except that it’s about getting through a work week at the office. This is a humorous, light-weight show filled with slickly polished scenes and tuneful songs that satirizes the trials, tribulations and joys of office work. It is more of a revue than a book musical. It deals with work life, children, husbands, wives, business travel and the dependency on technology. Political correctness and obsession with Palm Pilots are highlighted but no cheap shots are taken in this family friendly show.
The five characters are trying to deal with the stress of balancing work and family life as they struggle to meet the deadline for the ‘presentation.’ Told through witty, funny and cute songs, The Water Coolers is a treat for the 30-something set. This is a fine date show that zips along smoothly.
Meet the five players: Frank (Adam Kozlowski) the guy who does the minimum and is a smart aleck who must be ‘right.’ He sings “Unless It’s From Me” to indicate his ego. Brooke (Tempe Thomas), the youthful, idealist with energy to burn and a winning smile. She lands “It’s Me” with confidence. Steve (Matthew Amador) is the good-looking office stud who flaunts his beauty in “Hottie: A Song of Acceptance.” Judy (Holly Stauder) the team leader and strong female whose ambition is stated nicely in the “One Rung Higher” song. Glen (Jason Bayle) is the IT guy who has trouble dealing with people. He lands his song “The Great Pretender” with aplomb.
Filled with clever Forbidden Broadway styled song parodies and bouncy original music, The Water Coolers is a funny and fulfilling evening of entertainment. I especially like the “The Paranoid Chorus” where the players pondered what the boss really means. The rip on Oliver, “Who Will Buy This Crap for My Kid’s School?” was clever and nicely sung as the five delivered rich harmonies.
We hear parodies of songs such as “Manic Monday” by Prince, “In My Room” by Gary L. Usher/Brian Wilson and “I’ve Gotta Be Me” by Walter Marks. These worked to enrich the show with cuteness that conveyed a light hearted take on life and the office. Tempe Thomas and Adam Kozlowski stand out with their energetic treatment of the material. The cast’s singing is excellent with fine harmonies and strong voices that allow the humor out while landing the proper emotions.
The Water Coolers: An Office Musical is a pleasing show that relates well to modern corporate life. It appeals as a date show and one that your office entertainment committee needs to book. With such fine talent and clever material, The Water Coolers could have a long successful run. Put a note in your office’s Suggestion Box about seeing this delightful show.
Recommended
Tom Williams
Tom99@chicagocritic.com for comments
Talk Theatre in Chicago Podcast
Date Reviewed: June 20, 2006
Jeff Recommended
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