By Katherine Beeson
They had me at hello.
The “hello” in this case, was the curtain rising for the opening number of “42 nd Street,” Falls Patio Players’ spring musical. As soon as the chorus line of feet dancing in perfect precision was visible to the audience, I knew I was in for a wonderful time.
Briefly, “42 nd Street” tells the simple story of a young girl from Allentown,
Pennsylvania circa 1933, who longs to get into a show on Broadway. The plot may be simple, but the music and dancing are anything but.
I can’t rave enough about the fantastic dancing. “42 nd Street” means tap;tap means precision and choreographer Melissa Bloch-Meier assembled the most talented hoofers I have seen on stage in many years. Most amateur groups shy away from doing a complicated production such as this
one, but Bloch-Meier found real talent and made them shine in each and every number. I also want to give credit to director Doug Clemons and music director Julia Johnson.
I like how this show begins, with someone turning a movie reel that broadcasts all the stars. This immediately transforms the audience back to the movies shown in the days of the Great Depression and is a nice touch.
This show stars D. Eric Woolweber (Julian,) Courtney Giovinazzo (Peggy), Lynn Bertoni Shaw (Dorothy), Ben Bartos (Billy) and Heath Jones-Hartwig (Bert.) But just like many of the Busby Berkeley musical extravaganzas of the period, the real highlights are the chorus girls!
Falls Patio Players’ presentation of “42 nd Street” is pure enjoyment. The show runs through April 28 at North Middle School Auditorium, so do as the song advises and “Come and meet those dancing feet, on the avenue I’m taking you to…”