Firstly, ‘Sweet Charity’ is a musical with music by Cy Coleman, lyrics by Dorothy Fields and book by Neil Simon. It was directed and choreographed for Broadway by the legendary Bob Fosse and based on the screenplay for the 1957 Italian film Nights of Cabiria. A show so rich in big name history is no easy feat to pull off and the team at the Mountain District Musical Society currently playing the show at Karralyka Theatre in Ringwood have done an outstanding job.
‘Charity Hope Valentine’ is a taxi dancer, a dance partner-for-hire at a seedy dance hall in New York City. Though the job may be decidedly undesirable, Charity’s hopeful romanticism and unfailing optimism lift her out of her circumstances and help her reach for a life beyond. In the past, she’s been strung along and hung out to dry by a series of bad relationships and lousier men. When she meets Oscar, a neurotic, shy actuary seemingly from another world, will she finally find true love at last?
With a laugh-a-minute script by the incomparable, the audience is destined to fall in love with Charity’s limitless spirit, as she lives life “hopefully ever after.” This exuberant, groovy, hilarious musical comedy includes hits such as Big Spender, If My Friends Could See Me Now, I’m a Brass Band and Baby, Dream Your Dream.
So, having read and seen many a Sweet Charity production before, my expectations are quite high. The “just want to be loved” leading lady Charity is bright and bubbly as played by Madeleine Magetti with an excellent authentic accent from New York. According to the program, this is her dream role, and what a role; this show is all Charity! Madeleine brought to the main character a sense of longing for the audience to feel for her situation, and laughter of course, but we also knew that Charity was seeking even more than love; for acceptance of who she is and the future she dreams of.
‘Oscar’ played by Leigh Roncon was just sooooo much fun, what a talent in comedy! The elevator scene cannot be beaten with claustrophobic Oscar and the upbeat positive Charity trying to hold him together and not panic; it’s professional quality from both of them in this extensive scripting.
There’s LOTS of dancing in the show and LOTS of great musical numbers, the orchestra is a simply amazing; one of the best I’ve heard in an amateur production for sure.
‘Big Spender’ always packs a punch and that theme (that is impossible not to like) is played throughout the show – I loved watching all the girls act it up in their own personality, all of them different but giving the same story to their men visitors “open for business” LOL.
My favourite group rendition was definitely ‘Rhythm of Life’ with Daddy Brubeck played by Jason Sainsbury-King taking over the stage with his band of new age church hippies under the bridge. If you grew up in the 60s you’re going to tap your feet, sing along and enjoy everything about this and the spot-on costuming, full of flower power; I didn’t want it to end!
A standout solo for me was sung by Vittorio played by Julian Campobasso with ‘Too Many Tomorrows’ and the Beehive & Blonde duet ‘Baby Dream Your Dream’ by Nickie and Helene, played by Nicole Kapiniaris-Anson and Hayley Wooten, was only one part of a show filled with their incredible talents as Charity’s two best friends in the dance hall.
The dance hall scenes are great by all the cast and the ensemble too in this show got plenty of shine time, especially in ‘I love to cry at Weddings’ where I think they were able to ad lib and did such a good job.
Bonus points on clever use of the set, the fountain lake, the big window in the apartment and the props and clothes with the line “hide in the wardrobe” – I couldn’t even tell Charity was there in plain sight as she disappeared into the rack.
The supporting cast bounced well off each other. Both my friend and I felt the enthusiasm and love between them all on stage, and the way in which everyone makes up the finale bows was a fabulous finish with tons of applause for all:
Herman: Michael Gibson
Ursula: Ella Miatke
Carmen: Ellen Lane
Rosie: Jessica Clark
Suzanne: Amber Orchard
Betsy: Gaynor Borlase
Frenchy: Stephanie Vienet
Elaine: Jade Bishop
Alice: Olivia Poggi
Ensemble: Katherine Gloss, Samara Trimble, Ainsley Thomson, Steve Atkinson, Talwyn Gibson, Mark Curran, Nick Toovey, Kyah Pritchard.
Congratulations to Director/Choreographer Di Morgan, Musical Director Vicki Quinn and your production team. We loved it – a happy night out with a bestie who also loves musical theatre.
The Karralyka Theatre in Mines Rd Ringwood is one of the best suburban venues – easy to get to, easy parking, comfortable seats and very reasonable ticket prices. Ticket link: https://www.karralyka.com.au/Theatre/Touring-and-Community/MDMS-Presents-Sweet-Charity
The program is great, too. Give whoever put that together for this show a clap. Make sure you get one. I often think amateur theatre programs are better than professional ones. It has lots of information and pictures of everyone in the cast and creative team.
SWEET CHARITY is playing the rest of this weekend until their Sunday, 27 October matinee – ‘you should see it now’ and note in your diary Mary Poppins in June 2025: https://www.mdms.org.au/
Photo credit: Gavin Andrew
This review also appears on It’s On The House. Check out more reviews at Whats The Show to see what else is on in your town.
