“Sweet Charity” Sings for The Community Players

The popular ’60s musical Sweet Charity is the current production of The Community Players in Pawtucket, RI. Directed by Greg Geer, musical direction by Mark Calazzi, with choreography crafted by Lennie Machado, the show is part of their season dedicated to the late Larry Reedy, past president. With book by Neil Simon and original choreography by Bob Fosse, the group has a fantastic blueprint to use. Gwen Verdon starred originally as Charity, “the girl who wanted to be loved,” on Broadway in 1966.  Shirley MacLaine starred in the film version in 1969.

Verdon and MacLaine are tough acts to follow, but the Community Players’ star, Lisa Ziniti Palmer has no problem filling their shoes. Palmer is spectacular as the ever-hopeful and upbeat dance hall hostess at the Fandango Ballroom in New York City. She is a great singer, a graceful mover, and a power house of energy that holds up right through the end of the show. Her solos, “If My Friends Could See Me Now,” “Charity’s Soliloquy” and “Where Am I Going” are all sung spot on, clearly, with a great resonance.

In fact, there is no shortage of high-quality voices in this Sweet Charity.  Michael Evora is Big Daddy, leader of the edgy “Rhythm of Life” church that meets under the Manhattan Bridge. Evora has a strong baritone voice, confident and appropriately groovy. Evora has the actors, as well as the audience, moving with his singing in a laid-back ’60s kind of way. Michael Duarte is Vittorio Vidal, the international movie star that Charity gets to spend one whirlwind night with. Duarte is elegant and suave. His soaring tenor voice in “Too Many Tomorrows” is thrilling to hear. Even Herman, the gruff boss at the dance hall (Brian Lamothe) has a great voice for “I Love to Cry at Weddings.”

Actor Kevin Broccoli shows off his versatility as Charlie at the top of the show, Charity’s initial love interest. Without saying a word, Broccoli telegraphs the entire sleazy persona of his character with stance, movement and attitude. Broccoli later plays Oscar, Charity’s first serious boyfriend who is a shy, claustrophobic accountant. Unfortunately, Charity waits too long to tell Oscar what her real job is, and that jeopardizes the relationship.

The story of Sweet Charity is simple. But there are plenty of quirky characters, memorable music and amazing dance numbers throughout the show for a great evening of entertainment.  The entire group of girls who play “taxi” dancers at the Fandango Ballroom are audience pleasers. They get a chance to strut their stuff early in the show by belting out the well-known “Big Spender” routine. Nikki (Kerissa Leigh Roderick) and Helene (Heather Santos), Charity’s best friends at the dance hall step up to their featured roles with heartfelt singing and dancing.

The level of ability throughout the chorus is mixed, but the abundant talent in the area shines through.

Sweet Charity continues through April 13 in Pawtucket at Jenks Auditorium.  For tickets and more information call 401-726-6960 or visit thecommunityplayers.org.