Come and Meet Those Dancing Feet

42nd Street

Bay Area Musicals

Alcazar Theatre
650 Geary St., San Francisco

Ends December 10, 2017

Reviewed by Christine Okon

There’s something uplifting about the sound of dancing feet. Why, it’s almost better than therapy.

Shuffling Off to Buffalo

Depression era audiences knew this when they escaped into Busby Berkeley movies like Gold Diggers of 1935, Babes on Broadway, and of course, 42nd Street. Now you, too, can get a kick, with Bay Area Musicals' current production of 42nd Street, playing at the Alcazar theater until December 10, 2017.

Peggy Sawyer (Samantha Rose) and Gang

Director Daren A.C. Carollo and choreographer Matthew McCoy (who is also the driving force behind BAM) have gifted us with their version of the Broadway show that starts with a big dance number and and continues nonstop with songs like “You’re Getting to Be a Habit with Me,” “I Only Have Eyes for You,” “We’re in the Money,” and more.

DC Scarpelli, Samantha Rose, and Cast

The plot is familiar: a young woman from a small town dreams of making it big on the New York stage, and, by golly, she does! Samantha Rose is a wonderful Peggy Sawyer, a demure presence with a dynamite voice and powerhouse legs that tap their way to stardom when a twist of fate creates the big chance. But she doesn’t do it alone: she’s part of a group of “kids,” fellow hoof and song aspirants who are betting it all with every step and number. There’s a lot of energy in their camaraderie that fills the room.

Billy Lawlor (Nikita Burshteyn)

Everyone in the cast is a fine performer, with special thrills given by Nikita Burshteyn as the wannabe beau Billy Lawlor, DC Scarpelli as the producer-with-a-heart Julian Marsh, and Marisa Cozart as the capable but fun stage manager Maggie Jones. All of the large cast deserves big applause.

We're in the Money!

This production is the result of a lot of work and it is amazing to see the young performers keep such lively rhythm and precision. The live music is fun but there were times the band could have used more practice.

42nd Street is a perfect show to see as a respite from holiday and other worldly stress. When you leave the theater, you may just want to tap dance your way down Geary to Union Square to get a little holiday spirit.

42nd Street

Music by Harry Warren; Lyrics by Al Dubin; Book by Michael Stewart and Mark Bramble

Direction by Daren A.C. Carollo
Choreography by Matthew McCoy
Musical Direction by Jon Gallo

ALCAZAR THEATRE
650 GEARY STREET
SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94102

CAST

Samantha Rose, Peggy Sawyer
Nikita Burshteyn, Billy Lawlor
Laurie Strawn, Dorothy Brock
DC Scarpelli, Julian Marsh
Marisa Cozart, Maggie Jones
John Brown, Bert Berry
Venis Goodman, Abner Dillon
Zach Padlo, Andy Lee/ M Ens
Peter Budinger, Pat Denning
Kevin Singer, Mac/Thug/Doctor
John Charles Quimpo, Oscar/M Ens
Janet Wiggins, Annie
Hilary McQuaide, Lorraine
Catrina Manahan, Phyllis
Danielle Cheiken, Ensemble/Dance Captain
BriAnne Martin, Ensemble
Lindsey Meyer, Ensemble
Alyson Chilton, Ensemble
Leslie Waggoner, Ensemble
RJ San Jose, Ensemble
Carlos Guerrero, Ensemble

ARTISTIC TEAM

Daren A.C. Carollo, Director
Matthew McCoy, Choreographer
Jon Gallo, Musical Director
Daren A.C. Carollo/Matthew McCoy, Scenic Design
Brooke Jennings, Costume Design
Courtney Johnson, Lighting Design
Wayne Roadie, Prop Design
Anton Hedman, Sound Design
Barry  Despenza, Sound Board Op
Jackie Dennis, Wig Design
Ryan Weinstock, Stage Manager
Wayne Roadie, Assnt. Stage Manager
Richard Gutierrez, Wardrobe Master
Stewart Lyle, Technical Director
Clay David, Scenic Artist

ORCHESTRA

Sonja Lindsay, Trumpet
Jeremy Carrillo, Trombone
Larry De La Cruz, Woodwinds
Will Berg, Woodwinds
Keith Leung, Woodwinds
Kyle Wong, Bass
Randy Hood, Drums
Jon Gallo, Keyboard/Conductor