110 in the Shade

Reviewed by Neal Weaver

RECOMMENDED:

It was probably historically inevitable that N. Richard Nash’s Broadway comedy The Rainmaker would have been turned into a musical by Nash, working with the creators of The Fantasticks, Harvey Schmidt (music) and Tom Jones (lyrics).

All three are incorrigible romantics who find hope in in love and marriage, and the so-called “eternal verities.” And their sensibility is in line with Shakespeare’s better comedies: They allow us to enjoy happy endings, even if we don’t quite believe in them. Their charm is almost irresistible, except to eggheads and cynics for whom “heart-warming” and “uplifting” are dirty words.

In 110 in the Shade, the trio shows we optimists what we want to see. They show Lizzie Curry (Treva Tegtmeier), the incipient old maid, find love. They show her little brother Jimmy (David Crane) win Snookie Updegraff’s little red hat. They show pessimistic, dream-smashing Noah get his come-uppance. We want to see the flamboyant, improbable, smooth-talking conman Starbuck actually bring the rain he has promised. And the rains come. Real rain, pelting down across the stage, leaving the audience to delight in the theater’s wondrous mixture of sentiment, make-believe, spectacle and reality. Probably nobody in the audience would suggest calling in a rainmaker to solve California’s drought problems, but the idea is appealing.

Director Richard Israel treats the piece as the perky, cheerful romp that it is. He adds just enough rueful practicality to keep it from drifting into irksome sentimentality. And Julie Hall’s choreography captures the same balance.

The score is not the most memorable in the world, but it gets the job done.

Tegtmeier is perhaps a bit too pretty for plain-Jane Lizzie, but she mingles wistful desperation with delicacy of feeling — though she can also get down and dirty in the satirical song “Raunchy.”  And when, at the end, she must choose between the exciting Starbuck and the decent but ordinary File, her choice seems the only possible one.

Tim Hodgin, as Lizzie’s loyal and loving father, staunchly defends her right to have something to remember, rather than nothing to regret. Lizzie’s exuberant younger brother Jimmy is always adored by audiences, and Crane continues that tradition. Michael Downing’s File combines unacknowledged neediness and touchy pride. And Skylar Adams’ Starbuck offers just the right blend of an extroverted fantasist-on-the-make and a decent guy.

Designer Stephen Gifford provides the simple but apt setting, and Vicki Conrad’s costumes opt for reality rather than musical comedy glitz.

Actors Co-Op, 1760 N. Gower St., Hlywd.; Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun., 2:30 p.m. (added perf Sat., June 14, 2:30 p.m.); through une 15. (323) 462-8460, www.ActorsCo-op.org. )