Beverly Friend

The operative word for Cantorial is “sweet” – a surprising adjective to apply to the work of an author famous for such hair-raising plot lines as those found in Rosemary’s Baby, and The Stepford Wives.

The House on Mango Street provides an exploration of neighborhood and community, and the play brackets this with opening and closing songs (sung by the full cast) which trace a Mexican-American family’s journey from renting in familiar Chicago residential areas – from Loomis Ave. to Keeler and Paulina – before they actually buy a house on Mango.

Fedra (aka Phaedra) is a modern retelling of a Greek myth of unrequited lust and revenge. Queen Fedra (J. Nicole Books) – much like Potiphar’s wife in the Bible – fails to seduce the object of her affection and retaliates by crying rape

What a cast. Under the fine direction of Michael Halberstam, actors Sean Fortunato and Timothy Edward Kane as Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are masters of comic timing, effortlessly batting repartee at each other. Their forlorn faces wonderfully register bemused puzzlement. Bright eyed, charismatic Allen Gilmore brings humor and authority…

The songs are terrific and enhanced by clever choreography as the four move across the stage in ever-varying configurations. They belt out 50’s and 60’s favorites including such well-known tunes as “It’s My Party,” “Mr. Sandman,” “Lollypop,”

In this comic, spirited production, lists are a recurring theme. Rob sings about the five top vinyl recordings of all times. Later, he presents his five top romantic breakups –

What this children’s production — mixing fairy tale, slapstick comedy and musical — projects in creativity is undercut by its lack of focus.