So, I went to the preview (dress rehearsal) before opening night. The main character lead Melody Rowland, who plays Ruby, was sick and her understudy Maya Paletta filled in. She was terrific…high energy, good dancer and very likeable. The storyline of “Dames at Sea” has the same scenario. Narcissistic Mona, played unsympathetically, but very well, by Clara Jarvis, the star of this 1930’s style musical, gets sick. Ruby (Maya Paletta) must step in to save the day. Life does imitate art, after all. I am told that Melody is also quite amazing.
Ruby, a small-town dancer, shows up on Broadway to try out for a chorus girl position. She has spent her last penny to get there, hasn’t eaten in three days and only has her tap dance shoes in her suitcase. She ends up playing the lead role when Mona gets sick. She also finds the love of her life.
The lead role of Ruby made Bernadette Peters a star in the industry. Ironically, she played the role in Lake Forest, IL at Academy Playhouse in 1973, which is no longer in existence.
The captain, played by Steve McDonagh, is funny, charismatic, and a great song and dance man. Another song and dance standout is Beck Hokanson, who plays Dick. This production is skillfully directed and choreographed by Gregg Dennhardt. Musical direction by Kyra Leigh was perfectly synchronized with the dancing and singing.
“Dames at Sea” is recommended for its dazzling production and is a good time for all. It plays at Citadel Theatre , 300 S. Waukegan Rd., Lake Forest, through Dec. 15th. Go to www.CitadelTheatre.org for more details on this and future productions.