Review by Robert Lee Hall

Just before the September 11 opening last week of On the Town, the Leonard Bernstein/Comden & Green musical being performed at the Lesher Center in Walnut Creek, the audience was asked to engage in a moment of silence in memory of those who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks of 2001.

That was appropriate.

It was then asked to have a good time at the revival of this 1944 musical. That was appropriate, too.

It was easy to accommodate both requests.  The ease of the first needs no explanation. As for the second, this On the Town revival by the Diablo Theatre Company—formerly Diablo Light Opera Company—is well mounted and brightly energetic, so there was no problem having a good time.

Most people know the musical’s story from the MGM movie, starring Gene Kelly and Frank Sinatra, that was made from the stage show.  Three sailors, who have never been to New York, are granted a 24-hour leave in the Big Apple, and they set out to explore the city and to find romance.

And find it they do, in a jaunty adventure that takes them from the Museum of Natural History to the nightclub scene to Coney Island. It’s a bumpy ride for the sailors, but they end smiling (and so do we) as they re-board their ship while another trio on leave dances into Manhattan.

Director/choreographer, Mindy Cooper, does strong, inventive work with the show, in a happy collaboration with the Company C Contemporary Ballet troupe, whose snappy dancing provides many highlights of the evening.  Set designer Robert Broadfoot, lighting wizard Kurt Landisman, sound designer Mike Sweeney, costumier Carol Edlinger, conductor Cheryl Yee Glass, and a host of other staff add to the excellence. The actors, singers and dancers fill their roles engagingly. Ryan Drummond, Mark Farrell and Bryan McElroy are the sailors, and Emma Goldin, Hope Mirlis and Courtney Iventosch are their dates.  Paul C. Plain, Laurie Strawn and Barbara Pond stand out, too.

On the Town plays in Walnut Creek until September 27. For tickets and information call 925-943-7469 or visit either www.lesherartscenter or www.dloc.org.

Note:  The review was accompanied by a color photo of the cast.