Star Vehicle: 110 in the Shade (review)
A star vehicle for Tracy Lynn Olivera, Ford's 110 in the Shade is is quaint, predictable, old-fashioned and outdated.
Paul Tetreault of Ford’s Theatre decided to rectify a longstanding problem in the D.C. theater scene: Tracy Lynn Olivera has been a core part of show after show, but always in a supporting role.
His solution: Stage a production of 110 in the Shade as a starring vehicle for Olivera. Of course, she excels as Lizzie, a role that allows her to show off her coloratura soprano and sing several beautiful, complicated songs written by Harvey Schmidt, with lyrics by Tom Jones (The Fantasticks).
That might be enough reason for some theatergoers to go, and such a decision is further bolstered by the strong supporting cast director Marcia Milgrom Dodge has assembled at Ford’s. Olivera gets to sing duets with two great leading men: Ford’s regular ace in the hole Kevin McAllister (Violet, Parade), who plays File, the Sheriff, in an audacious yet unmentioned bit of color-blind casting; and Ben Crawford, a Broadway regular best known for playing the title role in Shrek the Musical, here taking on a different kind of ogre, that of conman rainmaker Starbuck.
Yet 110 in the Shade (
) is quaint, predictable, old-fashioned and outdated. It’s simple and sappy. Set on a summer’s day in a drought-stricken town in 1950s Texas, the only things to discuss appear to be the heat, my God, the heat; the need for rain; poker; and for Lizzie to find a man, posthaste.
That is, if it’s not already too late. Her brother Noah (Stephen Gregory Smith) bluntly calls her an “Old Maid” — spinning her into a kind of plain-Jane Act One showstopper. This sets up Act Two, which manages to become interesting. The show ends sweetly, yet still leaves you with a slightly bad taste in your mouth, and the hope that something better for Olivera will come along soon.
110 in the Shade runs to May 14 at Ford’s Theatre, 511 10th St. NW. Tickets are $28 to $69. Call 800-982-2787 or visit fordstheatre.org.
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