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Show Critics Keep Busy IB Thursday, December THE GREEN SHEET - 10, 1987 rTis The Season For Holiday Entertainment Stunning Sets Can't Hide Weak Show SALT LAKE. Bringing Gordon Jump to town for an annual yuletide production is a good idea. The popular and likable LDS performer who delighted audiences for years in the popular WKRP In Cincinnati is particularly well suited the role of Kris Kringle in the musical Here's Love. No doubt the opportunity to see him perform will help fill Promised Valley Playhouse during the run which extends through Dec. 23. And Here's Love is passable family entertainment. It is not, however, good musical theater. Part of the blame can go to the script. It's hard to believe that Meredith Wilson of Music Man fame created this version of Miracle on 34the Street But lack of a strong script is only the tip of the iceberg m problems with this production. Most of the problems must be laid squarely in the lap of the director, Dennis Ferrin. There is too.little warmth, realism and believability to go along with a smashing set and one or two standout performances. On Friday it was clear that the show was simply not ready for an audienceActors were not comfortable on stage and the musicians were not prepared to perform. Lines were fumbled by several, including Jump. There was a considerable amount of overacting, as if the performers felt they had to somehow compensate for their Jump's past success. She The most notable exception to this was Tamara home on at Doris. as a stage Obviously gave delightful performance with a television personality, she tries with all her. might to help Jump save the show. They almost succeed with a little help from David Walker as R. H. Macy and little Stephanie Dees as Susan. s has a magnificent voice, superb stage presence and a deal of acting ability to go along with her beauty and great sensitivity. Although there was a lot of Annie in Miss Dees' performance, it works and there's great warmth between she and Jump. Although young, she's obviously a veteran performer. Jump is perfectly suited to his role, but needed more preparation time. No doubt by now, he's right at home in the role. While musical theatre is not his forte, he brings warmth and realism to the role of Kris. Walker is solid in his role as Mr. Macy and he sings very well. Stanford Smith as the romantic lead, Fred, gives a particularly plastic performance that is impossible to swallow. Gordon Johnson's effort as Marvin Shellhammer would have worked with some deft direction and toning down. Walter D. Wright is acceptable as Thomas Mara Sr. Seven Nielsen's sets are breathtaking and perhaps the single most impressive thing about the production. There was an audible audience reaction to the toy shop setting. Marilyn Montgomery's choreography is innovative and well conceived, highlighted by the Toy Ballet that closes Act I. The show would have benefitted from more. The entrance by the high school band and "That Man Over There" are other highlights, of which there are simply too few to bring about an enthusiastic recommendation for this show or at least that was the case when it opened Friday. Fowler-Adam- s. Fowler-Adam- - "IMichclc Bflrtmcss ft ggj&gi CONVERSIONS tmit OFTEN COSTS MORtTHAh R STARRING YOUR PRESENT ROOF FINANCING AVAILABLE NO S YEARS TO FAY MONEY OOWN EXAMPLE: 1000 SO. FT. ROOF (OR $72 PER MO.) )t&Mmmmmmlmim Asa nflST ill inl F L T7TT Helium 'She Loves Me' Is Enjoyable Holiday Fluff For a delightful interlude, holiday go see the City Hep production of She Loves Me, now playing in the 2 nd Stage Theatre at ZCMI Center. This piece of fluff is cute, and, above all, fun. This is not one of the better known musicals, in fact, you probably won't recognize any of the songs, but songs there are, in plenty, written right into the script so they flow with the SALT LAKE. dialogue. The story of a man and a girl who become pen pals and work in the same shop, Maraczek's Parfumerie, where they don't even get along, is light, but holds interest. The setting,' a store at Christmas, is in tune with the season, and, again, the show is delivery boy, Lazlo, and hu delight when he becomes Mr. salesman is the The cast is small but every Laszlo performance is well done. contagious. Gary Stuart gives a strong Jane Axson was a favorite with performance as Maraczek. the Saturday's audience as Uona, the owner of the shop. The romantic salesgirl, as was R. J. Allen as the leads are well played by Mark de concerned, romantic waiter. His was St. Aubin and Linda Skoy. Their "Romantic Atmosphere" interchanges prior to discovering another highlight. Larry Webb who they are work well for the handled the "heavy," Kodak, well, audience and the denoument is The ensemble, including Vicki Low. Lorene de St. Aubin, Wendy just right Miss Skoy's singing is a highlight Tidwell, Gay Taylor, Doug Clarke of the show and John Paulk gave good David Maxwell, a City Rep support throughout, and their regular, is always a pleasure and "Christmas Shopping" number makes the most of his role as was a knockout Sipos, a salesman whose only The set, in the limited space desire is to keep his job. Kevin offered, is small but very Jackman is appealing as the functional and worked well for ' fun. , '4. 4. Holidvt scene changes. . The piano plays a big part in this show, with almost non-sto- p accompaniment and Val Smith-so- n does a yeoman job as music director and accompanist Sue Erickson is directing the production with Daniel Collett as Paul Last, choreography; Janet Mancini, costumes assisted by Debbie Gustafson. Sei, is by Bill Larsen, Tom Battersby, Ben Battersby, Steve Nichol and Elizabeth OBryant The show will run through Dec. 19. Call City Rep, 0 for ticket information. This one is a small gem. Give yourself an early Christmas present and go laugh a while. 532-600- -- J H'ppy-Holt4y$ Hale Show Will Chase Bah Humbugs Away a If SOUTH SALT LAKE. you want to get yourself a good dose of the Christmas spirit, forget the shopping, gift wrapping and cooking and go see the Hale Center Theater production of A Christmas Carol. This is the most authentic presentation of Charles Dickens' immortal story I have ever seen, and I've seen dozens. This one rings true; if you love the story, youH love this. As you enter, you find murals depicting old London surrounding you, and the playing area a London square, complete with gas lamp. Carolers in period costumes introduce the show, and there is narration, recorded by the late Johnston White, read right from the book so you don't miss the wonderful description of the "clutching, covetous" Scrooge. Those wonderful Dickens characters come to life with Dick again appearing as Scrooge. And what a Scrooge he is. Every nuance of Dickens' old miser is there, as is the reformation and final endearing old man. This is a performance to remember. Also a favorite with Friday night's audience was Tom Stam appearing as the Ghost of Christmas Present and again as Old Joe. He was wonderful in both roles, a real favorite with the kids and adults alike and deservedly so. In the latter role he was joined by Andrea Clark and Soni Barrus as the laundress and charwoman, and Jim Smith as the undertaker. All three turned in standout performances making what is often a real downer, or at best a maudlin scene, a highlight of the Wilkins rw , m 4 HoH4v and Todd Russell was Topper to the life in a delightful party ' scene. The many scenes were all well done, and the reactions of Wilkins life to the entire added production. The entire cast can take a bow for this one. And d mention must we Evelyn Ripplinger whose violin provided music for the Fezziwig party, the carolers and a beautifully done solo by Stam. The Hale's always use their stage to full also using corners of advantage, well-earne- could have rattled little more. The closing scene, with carolers, lamp-lightand townspeople, then a spot on Scrooge, bearing Tiny Tim on his shoulder, and 484-925- are mandatory . I went to the play in a real mood. But I came out with a lump in my throat and a carol in my heart. Merry Christmas. Olga Milius er that tender bah-humbu- last line, is a tear-jerke- r. Seating, additional with the provided by -- (jUlrifltmaa (Euttagc IN THE VALLEY FAIR MALL the seating areas as smaller sets. In this manner, the ghosts and Scrooge are able to observe and participate without interrupting the scenes. The arrival of the Ghost of Christmas Future was well done, with the literally specter unfolding beneath Scrooge's feet, and the fog in the graveyard scene was also handled well. Nathan Hale was a spectral Marleys ghost, though his chains k even seats g FEATURES THE pocket-handkerchi- ef JET remodeling, is at a premium. Call 7 for reservations, which AND SOUTH TOWNE MALL or 95-851- 5 ttt-444- 5 Feature: Nutcrackers We Also SALT LAKE'S LARGEST DISTRIBUTOR FOR THE ELECTRIC CHRISTMAS TREE Dickens Villages Snow Villages LGB Trains Decorations FANTASY OK N All TEAII (Uic Our Convenient Lay way) A CHRISTMAS Gteairoi mil V production. John Lesko was well cast as Bob Cratchit, coming through as the strong father figure, the timid clerk and the grieving parent equally well, with good support from. Sally Swenson as Mrs. Cratchitt and Quinn, Jana Ruth and Jessica Dietlein, Heidi Oliver and Leah Swenson as the young Cratchits. Young Michael Dodge was an endearing Tiny Tim. Mark Dietlein turned in a fine performance as the nephew, Fred with Sally Dietlein as his wife JjxceUent reading for history lovers. Sarum captures 10,000 years of British history as it weaves the tales of five families through the story of England. By Edward Rutherfurd. r TRmmMu fMTrmrfJTI FREE TOWING! TUNE-U- P Transmission Leaking? Slipping, Hesitating? SPECIAL! 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