FringeNYC 2013: Someone To Belong To
Take a stroll down Madison Avenue in 1963, where the copywriters at D&J are juggling deadlines, drinks, and desires. Join Davis, Annie, Lois, and Joe in a sweet and sexy love story about selling dreams and making them come true.
Official production websiteShow details/ticketing at FringeNYC
Review by Judith Jarosz · August 9, 2013
This fluffy little musical written by Christine DeNoon and Lori Steele is a love story that takes place at an ad agency in the Mad Men nineteen sixties. Davis, an ad man with a live-in girlfriend who doesn't really understand him, has had a longtime crush on his secretary (that’s a dated version of an administrative assistant) Annie. When Annie announces that she is getting married to fiancé Ted, Davis finds himself in a mood that is noticed by his co-workers Lois and Joe—who are having their own relationship challenges, since although they live together, Lois insists on her freedom, while Joe who pretends to be the carefree player, has secretly fallen in love with her. The story line holds only one non-predictable conclusion that involves the independent Lois and almost everyone ends up happy.
The cast is talented, headed by the sure voiced Chris Ware as Davis and Sarah Stevens as Annie. Katherine Henly’s sexy and smart Lois and Justin Colombo’s smitten Joe hit their characters right on target. As can happen, the sidekick roles (think Megan Mullally and Sean Hayes in Will & Grace) are often given the funniest material, and Jonathan Desley as Annie’s twitchy and hilarious fiancé Ted, and Carla Nager as the wisecracking receptionist Miss Sasslebaum, steal the show every time either of them is on the stage. Erick Devine as Lois’s father Pete, who is bartender at her local hangout, has a beautiful voice and I just wish that his big solo number “Love is Uncertain” had a more dynamic conclusion worthy of his vocal abilities. The cast is rounded out by some fine footwork by Graham Keen, David Paul Kidder, Alle-Faye Monka and Kristen Brooks Sandler.
There are no big surprises here and the action drags a bit here and there, but it’s a sweet little piece. Director Leslie Collins does a nice job of steering the action while choreographer Allison Plamondon splendidly gives dancers and non-dancers alike some clever “groovy” moves. Costume designer Shaina Stigler has fun with the era and Jaime Martinez-Rivera’s lighting design, which is much more elaborate than most fringe shows, frames the action well. All this is supported by some cute original music and lyrics by David DeNoon along with some nifty musical arrangements by Eugene Gwozdz and Brandon Magid which are played out by a four-piece band led on piano by Mr. Magid with Luke Short on drums and Nathan David Furgason on bass.
Preview: Interviews with Artists from Someone To Belong To
We're asking artists from each show to answer questions about themselves and their work to help our readers get a detailed advance picture of the festival:
Journey to FringeNYC · Leslie Collins (Director)
- Tell us about the process you used to achieve your vision of this play in this production.
I started with the idea of an old fashioned movie musical after I heard the incredible music of David Denoon. Around my house growing up there was more "Oklahoma" and "Guys and Dolls" on TV than "Cagney and Lacey," so I've always had a passion for old movie musicals since I was a little girl. When I heard the music from the show, it hit me... this is from a different place in time It was something so familiar to me, yet I didn't know the songs. These songs were classics and the world had never heard them! The script and songs reminded me of a Bob Hope/Danny Kaye type of movie or movie musical and that's what got the ball rolling creatively in my head. I then worked with the producers to hire on a team who understands the style and brightness of a charming MGM musical. - What are some of your previous theater credits? (Be specific! Name shows, etc.)
Rocky Horror Show- Janet (Casa Manana), A Tree Grows in Brooklyn- Katie/Hildy u/s (Goodspeed), Whatever Happened To Baby Jane-Dance Ensemble (Theater Under The Stars), CInderella- Cinderella (Flat Rock PLayhouse), "I love You Perfect... Now Change" - Woman #2 (Flat Rock Playhouse), Annie- Grace (Alhambra Dinner Theater), A Little Night Music - Anne (Lyric Theater of Oklahoma), Fiddler on the Roof - Tzeitel (Carousel Dinner Theater), A Chorus Line - Judy Turner (Bass Hall Concert Series/ Casa Mañana. - If this is your first appearance in FringeNYC -- why did you want to be part of this festival? If you have appeared in FringeNYC before, tell us what show(s) you have done here previously. What about your prior experience led you back to this festival?
No, I performed two years ago in a solo show that I wrote, called "Poteet Girls." I had a blast performing it and knew that the show I am directing would be well received. I wanted to be part of the festival because I knew it would be great exposure for a show that I believe has some serious legs. It's music is lush, the script is cheeky and clever and the dancing is stunning. I also thought that the Fringe audiences might appreciate a balance to all that nudity and cursing with a palette cleansing of good old fashioned clean musical theater :) I figured, we might stick out with our wholesome little show! - Why are theater festivals important?
Festivals are for the little guys with big dreams. It is also a chance to showcase to the world your beautiful, raw and real art. Experimentation is allowed and encouraged and I like that. Also, you can see how the humanity of your piece reaches people without all the bells, whistles and spectacle of big Broadway shows. People throw their heart and souls into the production and hardly get paid but the reward of audience applause brings us back to why we do this after all... the pure love and joy of it all! - What was the most memorable/funny/unusual thing that has happened during the development and rehearsal process for this show?
I had been working in another room on a scene. I came back into the main rehearsal room to watch the finale that was being choreographed. Our choreographer had incorporated a lift into the air of one of our comedic actors in the finale. The sheer surprise on my face and the joy of this fabulous character actor being lifted into the air by one of our tall and handsome male dancers, was enough giggles and joy to last for days. I love being surprised!
All About My Show · Christine DeNoon (Writer)
- Complete this sentence: My show is the only one in FringeNYC that...?
Christine DeNoon: ...that pays tribute to David DeNoon's fabulous, never before heard music. What started as a tribute to my late father, in an attempt to fulfill his dream to have his life's work heard on a NYC stage has turned into a reality! Lorie Steele: I think Christine just said that best. David DeNoon's music is so special, wonderful and moving. Also, our show is different because it's a classic musical, nostalgic throw back but with this great underlining modernness. - What do you think this show is about? What will audiences take away with them after seeing it?
Lorie Steele: This show is about love on may different levels. Also, staying to true to what you want and following that. I think audiences will take that away with them, be very entertained and singing the music all the way home and the next and onward. - Why did you want to write this show?
Christine DeNoon: This show began as an attempt to showcase my late father's music. Lorie Steele: Ditto. This is for David DeNoon. - Who are some of the people who helped you create this show, and what were their important contributions to the finished product?
Christine DeNoon: Lorie Steele - My writing and producing partner in crime! Leslie Collins - Our incredibly talented, professional and passionate Director Brandon Magid & Eugene Gwozdz - who together have helped create beautiful arrangements as well as provide brilliant music direction. Allison Plamondon - Choreographer who has captured the style and time period of this show beautifully. Susan McDermott - My sister, silent producer, project manager, therapist, etc. Christine Liz Pynn - Stage Manager who I am not sure what we would do with out her! Shaina Stigler - Costume Designer who is making our cast so colorful and beautiful. Phil Kong - Production Designer Extraordinaire! Jaime Martinez-Rivera - Lighting Designer Wonderful! And SO many more. We could go on for days naming the people who have given us such tremendous support over the past year. - Which character from a Shakespeare play would like your show the best: King Lear, Puck, Rosalind, or Lady Macbeth -- and why?
Lorie Steele: Rosalind would dig it. And Lady Macbeth may have reconsidered her actions after seeing our show as she would've been too happy and hopeful to plot.
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