Courtesy of Windfall Theater Co.
If you’re looking for a parody of 1940s film noir onstage, then head straight over to see Windfall Theatre’s funny sendup of the genre in City of Angels. Under the solid direction of Carol Zippel, Windfall’s season finale is an ambitious and challenging work to stage—and cast and crew handle their duties admirably.
City of Angels can be challenging for audiences as it moves between the stage setting of the Hollywood studio system and the “pages” of scriptwriter Ben Stine, whose characters perform his scenes while he’s writing them. The characters double for actors in “real life” Hollywood: Got that?
With a musical score by Broadway veteran Cy Coleman and book by Larry Gelbart (“M*A*S*H”), City of Angels flies on the wings of a multi-talented cast and some hilarious numbers amid the nefarious doings of the uber wealthy Kingsley family and Stine’s creation of the flawed “flatfoot” who is a “sucker for dames,” Stone (a believable Marty McNamee).
The array of local talent within the 17-member ensemble keeps the energy level high and scenes a poppin’ despite the lengthy timeframe. Ben George’s scriptwriter Stine strikes the perfect balance between “real life” professional and personal schmuck given his penchant for “dames.” His long-distance wife, Gabby, is beautifully portrayed by stage vet Laura Monagle. Also playing nightclub singer Bobbi, her vocal prowess leads some of the show’s best numbers (“With Every Breath I Take” and the funny putdown “It Needs Work”).
Supporting roles are handled just as well: As Lt. Munoz, Shayne Steliga is a welcome scene stealer as Stone’s former partner; Alison Pogorelc is a delightfully naughty sex kitten of a wealthy runaway; and Doug Clemons resurrects all the collective ghosts of the forced-smiles-with-gleaming-teeth crooners of the ’40s with his very serious but extremely hilarious gestures and spot-on crooning.
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One of the challenges was the sound at times; taped voiceover narration was muffled. But in the City of Angels, it’s a small price to pay when the stakes are so high—and the laughs keep comin’.
Through May 16 at Village Church Arts, 130 E. Juneau Ave. For tickets, call 414-332-3963 or visit windfalltheatre.com.
