By Dale King
It’s hard to believe that Charity Hope Valentine has been around for a half-century. But the unlucky-in-love taxi dancer whose well-intentioned intentions often go sliding off the rails is back in a delightful and cute production of Sweet Charity, now being performed at the Broward Stage Door Theatre.
Charity first appeared on the Broadway stage in 1966 in the personage of Gwen Verdon, working opposite familiar character actor John McMartin in a performance produced and directed by her then-husband, Bob Fosse. That same trio moved on to create a film in 1969.
Another director with Broadway roots, Michael Leeds, takes the reins in the Margate production, tapping an excellent — and extensive — cast to recreate the life and times of Ms. C.H. Valentine, who always seems one mishap away from her next mishap — if you count being pushed into a lake by her boyfriend and getting caught in a stalled elevator and at the top of a jammed Ferris wheel.
Leeds’ first kudo was to cast exceptional actress, singer and dancer Kristina Huegel in the title role. In her first go-round at Broward Stage, she is top-notch, taking command of a role involving a young woman who can’t take command of anything — including her love life. Huegel is confident in her talent and stage presence, occasionally adopting a Betty Boop-type shyness and innocence that doesn’t quit.
Sweet Charity is based on a book by Neil Simon, who loosely adapted the story from the 1957 Federico Fellini film, Nights in Cabiria. Cy Coleman and Dorothy Fields put together the Tony Award-winning musical score that includes many songs that have become classics: “Big Spender,” “If My Friends Could See Me Now,” “Baby, Dream Your Dream” and “Too Many Tomorrows.”
“It’s a large cast and it calls for a strong ensemble — 17 — able to handle the Fosse-esque numbers,” said Leeds. “Luckily, we’ve got a terrific choreographer, Danny Durr, who honors Fosse while still making these numbers his own. Of course, there’s no ‘Sweet Charity’ without a — well — sweet Charity — and Kristina Huegel is a triple threat who will knock you out.”
The show follows Charity from a lake in Central Park where her boyfriend, Charlie, steals her handbag and pushes her into the water. A crowd gathers to ponder her situation, but only one man steps forward to save her.
Back in the dressing room of the Fandango Ballroom — a place Charity calls a “musical snake pit” — her dance hostess buddies Nickie (Melissa Rapelje) and Helene (Imani Pearl Williams) try to perk her up. But they all have to go out and offer themselves to guys who drop in for a little play-for-pay, setting the stage for the show’s first big dance number, performed to “Big Spender.”
Charity’s next mortification happens in the bedroom of famed actor, Vittorio Vidal (Rick Hvisdak). More impressed with his fancy abode than his bod, she breaks into a dance-filled rendition of “If My Friends Could See Me Now.” But she ends up spending the night in a closet after Vittorio’s girlfriend, Ursula, shows up to apologize for a previous argument. Charity has to hide away while they make love.
Positivity prevails when Charity and Oscar Lindquist (Richard LaFleur) get stuck in an elevator. She calms his claustrophobic panic with “I’m the Bravest Individual,” and a relationship seems to bud. As they part, Oscar kisses her hand, and dubs her Sweet Charity (“Sweet Charity”).
Huegel is exception in the lead role, but all actors carve their own impressive niches. LaFleur, as Oscar, seems the clean-cut, honest kind of guy that Charity is looking for. His character comes across as tolerant and loving. But is he?
Hvizdak plays Vidal as a delightful caricature, a leftover from 1940s Hollywood. He camps it up, but avoids being cheesy. Larry Buzzeo plays Herman, manager of the ballroom, a gruff, verbally whip-cracking kind of guy who turns out to have a heart of gold. Buzzeo also shows up in a half-dozen other utility roles.
As Nickie, Rapelje is sharp-tongued, performing with a hyperbolic Italian flair. She’s outspoken, with an opinion on everything. Williams is less abrasive, but just as concerned as Charity’s other buddy, Helene. Williams and Rapelje are excellent as 180-degree opposites for Charity, who truly needs to hear all sides of issues that bother her.
Rasheem Ford, as Daddy Brubeck, is featured in a single tune, but it’s a dynamite vocal with superb dancing by all involved. Along with choreographer Durr, the Sweet Charity production team includes Dave Nagy as musical director and pianist, Ardean Landhuis as lighting designer, Rushnay Henry as sound designer and Michael McClain, who designed the set.
Sweet Charity runs through Dec. 11 at the Broward Stage Door Theatre, 8036 Sample Road, Margate. Tickets are $38 – $42; $16 student tickets are also available. For tickets, call the box office at 954-344-7765 or visit www.stagedoorfl.org.