Monday, April 27, 2015

SUPERMAN FLYING INTO THE CT. CABARET

From Middletown to Mozambique to Metropolis, being labeled as a "man of steel" can be as much a blessing as a burden.  Being a hero is a responsibility one cannot ignore or take lightly. Just ask Clark Kent whose alter ego is the incredible caped crusader Superman who saves people and buildings with a cavalier nonchalance reserved for common folk to order a latte at Starbucks.

To get into the complicated lives of Clark, a reporter for the Daily Planet and his secret identity Superman, take a quick leap of fun and faith by heading to the Connecticut Cabaret Theatre in Berlin for the musical comedy "It's a Bird...It's a Plane...It's Superman" playing weekends until Saturday, May 30.

Penned by David Newman and Robert Benton with lyrics by Lee Adams and music by Charles Strouse, it's a comic strip come to life.  The hand painted wooden cutouts of skyscrapers, sub machine guns and sayings (like pow, bam, zonk and ka-pow) only add to the mood, designed by James J. Moran, who also gets credit for the energetic choreography.

Rick Bennett takes double bows for his portrayal of the meek and mild Clark as well as the masculine and muscled super hero.  As the man of the hour, he is admired and revered by the ladies, principally the newspaper staff of Lois Lane, a spunky Kaite Corda, whom he rescued more than a baker's dozen times and Sydney, a fast talking Ashley Ayala who is quite vocal in her adoration.

Not everyone is as smitten, however, by Superman's deeds of daring.  Max Mencken , a crafty Jon Escobar, is determined to take Superman off his pedestal and he is conveniently aided by the mad scientist Dr. Sedgwick, a revenge driven Robert Schultz, who feels he deserves the Nobel Prize and like Susan Lucci and her lack of a Lead Actress Emmy is determined to win one.

With the help of Dr. Sedgwick's assistant Jim (Kevin Ladd) and a troupe of Chinese acrobats who feel Superman has stolen their talented tricks (Russell Fish, Chris Brooks, James J. Moran, William Moskaluk, Carleigh Schultz and Brianna Zuk), Dr. Sedgwick cleverly plots Superman's disgrace.  The good citizens of Metropolis (Tracey Brown and Linda Kelly) find their faith shaken by Sedgwick's deviousness.  Kris McMurray directs this catchy tale of criminals and crusaders with style.

Tunes like "We Need Him," "Revenge," and "You've Got Possibilities" help propel the plot with fun lyrics.  For tickets ($30), call the CT Cabaret Theatre, 31-33 Webster Square Road, Berlin at 860-829-1248 or online at www.ctcabaret.com.  Remember to pack goodies to share at your table or plan to buy dessert and drinks at the handy concession stand.

Use your x-ray vision to see all the possibilities for frolic and fun as Superman "flies" literally and figuratively into town.

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