| Musical comedy
takes a light look at love The Barn Door Theatre in Flower Mound presents Adventures in Love, a series of musical comedy vignettes that are more revue than plotted story. Tue, Feb. 08, 2005 By Punch Shaw / Special to the Star-Telegram FLOWER MOUND - Flowers are usually a good idea this time of year. And this Valentine's Day, so is Flower Mound. That's because the Barn Door Theatre (aka Flower Mound Performing Arts Theatre) is offering a funny and tuneful look at romance called Adventures in Love. This light and breezy musical comedy is more a revue than a plotted story, although we do return to certain characters and issues as the show progresses -- such as the obviously well-meaning husband (Jermaine Lobaugh) who is gift-giving challenged. A gift certificate to a plus-size women's apparel shop is but one of his ideas that misfires. Most of the vignettes feature musical numbers performed by various groupings of the show's six performers, all with good voices. Stephanie Riggs is especially strong, notably in one of the show's funnier songs, Taylor -- the musical expression of a caffeine-powered crush on a Starbucks waiter, which seems as slight as latte foam. But when you realize how deceptively tricky the tune really is (and how well Riggs is navigating its dangerous straits), it reveals that the players make this fast-paced show look easier than it actually is. The entire cast (rounded out by Carrie Slaughter, Emily Lockhart, Jim Lindsay and Rick Starkweather) shines in Son of Aphrodite -- the best song in the show, which features a book by Charlie Shanian and Shari Simpson, lyrics by Marcy Heisler and music by Zina Goldrich. All of the players have several fine moments, both individually and collectively. And all are helped enormously by the keyboard work of music director Adam Wright. Director Neale Whitmore also deserves kudos for keeping things moving so well. IN THE KNOW GRADE: A Adventures in Love • Barn Door Theatre, 1800 Gerault Road, Flower Mound • 2 hours, 25 minutes • $17-$25 • (972) 724-2147 |
