VERO BEACH — The Vero Beach Theatre Guild will present Charity Valentine and her Fandango Ballroom “Dime a Dance Girls,” in the Broadway musical, “Sweet Charity,” between Nov. 13 and Nov. 30.
Ladies will also enjoy the show, but it’s best to leave the young ones at home.
Theatre Guild actors, dancers and singers are now in rehearsal for Sweet Charity, the Broadway musical that features the comedy of Neil Simon, music by Cy Coleman and lyrics by Dorothy Fields. Nominated for nine Tony Awards, the 1965 headline read “The Musical Smash at the Palace!” At the Palace Theatre, Bob Fosse directed and choreographed his wife, Gwen Virdon, in the title role. The 1969 film version starred Shirley MacLaine.
Neil Simon’s comedy is evident throughout, particularly in tight spaces when Charity finds herself in movie star Vittorio Vidal’s closet and later, when she is locked in an elevator with shy accountant, Oscar Lindquist.
Famous musical numbers include “If My Friends Could See Me Now,” “There’s Gotta Be Something Better Than This,” and the tantalizing “Big Spender.”
Kelly Brown Clemenzi will star as Charity, Doolin Dalton as Oscar, Robin Volsky as Vittorio, Sara Gordon as Nickie, Kate Lanahan as Helene, MarLee McArthur as Harriet, Abby Bolduc as Momma Brubeck and Heather Stapleton as Ursula. Others will be featured in multiple singing, dancing, acting roles and include Lindsey Brown, Tori Foster, Mary Margaret Hatch, Jessica Karr, Jillian Lopes, Brian Lacerda, Roberta Rose, Gregory Steenburgh, John Thompson, Laconte Turner, Walter Wells and Laura Zelnar.
The Theatre Guild has landed Andrew Currie, owner of Dance Space Studios in Vero Beach and former Broadway dancer of Cats, La Cage au Folles and Miss Saigon, to choreograph the show. Director Ben Earman, coming off his Genie Award winning show, The Miracle Worker, calls the Guild’s Sweet Charity “sexy, sassy and a joy to direct.” Karen Wiggins is the Music Director, Lisa Keeler, Stage Manager and the Producer is Carole Strauss.
The Vero Beach Theatre Guild is located at 2020 San Juan Avenue. Tickets are $24 and $22 (students 18 and under are half price). Purchase tickets by calling the box office at 562-8300, open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Friday, or online at verobeachtheatreguild.com.
