Personals

By PIERRE KENYON
THE PUEBLO CHIEFTAIN

Thursday night was opening night for “Personals: The Musical” presented by the Steel City Theatre Company at Hoag Hall on the campus of Colorado State University-Pueblo.

By “personals,” it means those ads once placed in newspapers and magazines seeking, well, some sort of relationship. They read something like this: “Single Mongolian female seeks single Mongolian male with similar tastes; must know how to take care of herd of yaks and enjoy camping in the Gobi Desert. Reply to P.O. Box 1985, etc.,” or something like that.

This play is really a big spoof of this kind of activity. And, yes, it’s wacky and over-the-top. The principal players are true to the material they represent.

The verdict: Pretty nutty stuff but, above all, it’s really quite entertaining.

Yes, I managed a few chuckles and an occasional guffaw during the two-act performance, as befits an unbiased reviewer while trying to maintain his decorum. I’ve had the privilege of enjoying most of the members of the cast in other stage productions locally, so it was a pleasure to see some of these veteran actors strutting across the boards, or tripping, as the case may be.

Kennette Oldham gave forth a memorable shriek but also sang a touching song about wanting to marry someone again. James Amos was effective in a number of character roles, particularly as a middle-aged mother concerned about her children’s love life, and as a lonely bachelor or one of a male quartet at a bar. All of it was a lot of fun.

Jennifer Ritter plays a rough type who “hates intellectuals and men who like cars and clothes.” Then turns around and plays an intellectual type with numerous emotional hang-ups.

Ensemble numbers were impressive, “I’d Rather Hold Out; I’d Rather Dance Alone” is a standout as is “I’m Movin’ in with Linda,” the latter featuring Amos, Oldham and Ritter along with Bethany Nafziger.

Jason Laughrey, as director and actor, does well in each task.

There are a whole series of fast-moving vignettes helped along by good stage direction, a minimal but appropriate set and a nimble stage crew.

The four musicians played well and added a lot to the production but I would suggest that the volume level be toned down a bit since it occasionally drowned out individual singers.

This show is not for the kids, best leave them home with a babysitter, as there is material which is adult in nature, as the saying goes.

Performances continue at 7:30 p.m. tonight and Oct. 16-18, all at CSU-Pueblo’s Hoag Hall.