Theater reviewer Mike Logothetis grew up in North Wilmington, performing in school and local theater productions. He lives in Newark, but you can find him wherever the arts are good.
Bootless Stageworks kicks off its twenty-second and final [sniffle...]
season with a lively production of Head Over Heels, a jukebox musical
that fuses the plot of The Countess of Pembroke's Arcadia – a
16th Century work by Sir Philip Sidney – and the music of The Go-Go’s.
The multi-faceted love story features the all-female group’s
hit songs “We Got the Beat,” “Our Lips Are Sealed,” and “Vacation” plus Belinda
Carlisle’s solo efforts “Heaven is a Place on Earth” and “Mad About You.” Many
people in the seats sang along to the tunes they loved as radio staples in the
1980s.
Diving into the intricacies of the plot would be foolhardy
and though some subtle wordplay got lost in the theater space, the audience
joyously followed the broad antics of the company.
Will Rotsch was a standout player as the kindhearted
shepherd Musidorus. A highlight of the show was a disguised Musidorus tempting
both King Basilius (John Jerbasi) and Queen Gynecia (Tara Herweg)
simultaneously during the lovely duet “This Old Feeling.” Rotsch’s physical
humor – wielding his crook, acting as an Amazon warrior, etc. – and his warm
yet powerful vocals made his character one to root for.
Princesses Pamela (Samantha McNerney) and Philoclea (Maria
Leonetti) were strong individually and as sisters encouraging each other in
their quests for true love. Kudos to Director Andrew Dean Laino for his use of
a faux mirror during “Beautiful” when Pamela sings of her beauty while
Philoclea is supporting her in their chambers. Leonetti and McNerney have big
voices, but use them differently – McNerney tended to be more rock-heavy (“How
Much More”) while Leonetti vocalized more gently throughout. Both styles were
appropriate for the characters they portrayed.
The Oracle Pythio (Nathan Hale) was a commanding presence
with a booming voice while donning Costume Designer Rosanne DellAversano’s
extravagant outfits. “Vision of Nowness” was a fun ensemble number led by
Pythio as was “Heaven is a Place on Earth” – where a projected screen
insinuated some amorous activities afoot.
The cast was rounded out by Aubrey Murphy (Mopsa), Sedric
Willis (Dametus), Rosanne DellAversano (Ensemble), Genevieve Francis
(Ensemble), Abbey Ketterling (Ensemble), and Jen Rotsch (Ensemble).
Musical standouts included “Our Lips Are Sealed” and “Head
Over Heels” but the highpoint was “Mad About You.” Shepherd Musidorus proclaims
his unconditional love for Philoclea in a field…with sheep…singing the backup
chorus, “Maaaaaad about you,” like baa-ing sheep would sing. The audience ate it
up.
Music Director James W. Fuerst led a talented band who both
played behind the actors and let those great Go-Go’s riffs break through. There
was a lot of foot-tapping going on.
Head Over Heels preaches unconditional love and
acceptance of yourself and everyone you know, no matter their gender or sexual
identity. And there’s a happy ending. And it has a rockin’ soundtrack.
The performance schedule of Head Over Heels, The Musical is:
- Saturday, September 28 @ 8:00pm
- Sunday, September 29 @ 3:00pm
- Friday, October 3 @ 7:30pm
- Saturday, October 4 @ 8:00pm
- Sunday, October 5 @ 8:00pm
I encourage you to “celebrate the [final] season” of theater at Bootless Stageworks filled with the “Beat.”