Liberty Inn: The Musical

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Liberty Inn: The Musical

Andak Stage Company at the NewPlace Studio Theatre

Reviewed by Les Spindle

March 17, 2010

Photo by John Demita

The spirit of Molière farce is alive and well in Dakin Matthews and B. T. Ryback's saucy musical adaptation of Carlo Goldoni's French play "La Locandiera" ("The Landlady"), an 18th-century women's-lib satire that was far ahead of its time. In this premiere production, Anna McNaughton directs a terrific cast in a stylishly mounted romp, bolstered by composer Ryback's lively music direction. Though the score is more serviceable than sensational and the lengthy play would benefit from 30 minutes of trims, it's an amusing and clever resurrection of Restoration battle-of-the-sexes comedy, imparting surprising contemporary resonance.

Matthews' book and Ryback's recitative-flavored score take a jaundiced look at the pretensions of the upper class and the manipulative mating rituals of a society that views sex and romance as instruments of power. In Liberty, N.Y., in 1787, Mirandolina (Deborah May) is an unmarried innkeeper who is a magnet for the opposite sex, continually warding off potential suitors while guarding her independent lifestyle. The priggish Count (John Combs) tries to win her over with his riches, and the effete Marquis (John DeMita) hopes to gain her favor through his political connections. Her longtime servant Faber (Bill Mendieta) also pines for her but realizes he has little chance of sparking a romantic interest in her. The ornery Mirandolina sets her sights on the woman-hating Captain (Norman Snow). If she can steal the heart of this curmudgeon and then spurn him, she'll make a definitive statement on her happiness as a single woman. Other characters, including a lusty actress (Charlotte DiGregorio) and the Captain's doting Aide (Mark Doerr) get caught up in the charade.

May is a skilled farceur, effervescent in the role of the conniving yet harmless seductress. The comic sparks fly when she interacts with the grumpy Captain, as Snow gives a winning comic portrayal, reminiscent of Walter Matthau . As the two competitive suitors, Combs and DeMita evoke hearty laughs. In the supporting roles, DiGregorio is drolly amusing as a feisty member of a disparaged profession, Doerr relishes the hilarious gay undercurrents of his song lyrics, and Mendieta provides welcome moments of sanity amid the farcical brouhaha. Handsome designs—Dean Cameron's set and costumes and Peter Strauss' lighting—gives the production an appealing period flair.

Presented by Andak Stage Company at the NewPlace Studio Theatre, 10950 Peach Grove St., North Hollywood. Mar. 14-Apr. 25. Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 2 and 8 p.m.; Sun., 2 p.m. (866) 811-4111. www.andak.org.