Can I interest you in a luxury cruise aboard the Jewel of the Sea where maniacal murder is clearly on the menu? Are you ready for a wonderful, wacky and wild trip where comedy reigns and much more than your funny bone will be tickled? Might you enjoy kibitzing with a widow who is celebrating the first anniversary of her Nazi-like husband’s death, a nurse who is ready to confess her unique and unorthodox medical practices, a piranha who burps and belches in sweet harmony, a scheming lawyer who is clutching a briefcase of damaging revelations, a set of identical twins who have a history of hatred for each other, and an accommodating fashion designer who boasts of having the perfect outfit for whatever crime you are committing. Hold on to your sunglasses and party hat, the Terris Theatre in Chester, known informally as the Little Goodspeed, has the perfect summer fun fest in “Ask for the Moon” billed as A Mischievous New Musical, is playing until Sunday, August 11 so don’t waste a minute grabbing a passport or packing.
With book and lyrics by Darko Tresnjak, who also cleverly directs, and music by Oran Eldor, “Ask for the Moon” is the perfect antidote and prescription to ward off the current state of the world and its politics, floods and fires, a lovely escape from reality that is genuinely funny, farcical and fabulous.
Kudos to Luba Mason’s Helene Huber who is over the moon delighted that her mean spirited hubby is no longer the eleventh plague who tormented her with his evil ways. When she discovers his nurse Charlotte, an ambitious and self-serving Ali Ewoldt, did the dastardly deed with a pillow, she thanks her very much and the pair unite in cahoots when danger threatens them both. Much of the humor lies with Jamison Stern who takes on the awesome task of playing both singing twins, the disreputable attorney and the fashion plate designer. Rounding up this talented troupe is Alex Dreschke as various body doubles as the action mounts to fever pitch.
Throw in some stolen artwork, a distaste for Chekov, a winning Bingo card clutched in the hand of a wheelchair bound beauty (?), a pair of demonstrative puppets, a polka and a meringue, an ice skater and an opera singer, a piece of red velvet cake and a storm worthy of Titanic proportions and you have the masterful makings of a grand entertainment. Alexander Dodge’s set married to Jen Caprio’s costumes, with choreography by Karla Puno Garcia and musical direction by Ian Axness send this comedy into orbit.
For tickets ($59-64), call the Goodspeed at 860-873-8668 or online at goodspeed.org. Performances are at The Terris, 33 North Main Street, Chester on Thursday at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m.
Cast your cares to the wind and set sail on the Jewel of the Sea. Just be sure not to venture into the Poseidon Suite but stay peeking outside through the portholes for your own safety. Don’t say you weren’t warned.
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