TESS’ LAST NIGHT
nytheatre.com review by Jeffrey Cassaro
August 15, 2003
Tess’ Last Night is about the
young and unmarried Tess, who trades the suburbs of Canadatown to pursue
a career in NYC’s Children’s Theater. It is the wholesome portrayal by
Carrie Libling that makes me believe in Tess’ dream. The equally
convincing performances of Leigh Williams as Mariana and Breanna Pine as
Dahlia (the two jaded reigning queens of the Theater) and Christine
Carroll as the show’s sarcastic narrator make me believe in Tess’
frustration achieving it!Calling this a musical is not fair; it is a comedy with some hysterical musical numbers added in, which I am afraid I missed parts of, as I was busy laughing. The songs are short and sometimes silly but this cast is more than able to sing them convincingly, especially the women in this production. The sarcasm and slurs run rampant but the deliveries made by this tight cast keep it lighthearted and fun. The sets are cleverly constructed to move quickly and the costumes, although minimal, are often as amusing as the lines and musical numbers. I enjoyed laughing at it all so much. The chorus members are all very skilled and seem to be having as much fun as the audience, especially in "Be A Diva," a number worthy of a much larger stage.
If this show remains this tight and this entertaining, I see no last night for Tess’ Last Night. It is just so much fun!
