Mask
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Glendening, Read
Photo by Ed Krieger
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By Joseph N. Feinstein
The book by Anna Hamilton Phelan, music by Barry Mann, lyrics by Cynthia Weil, and the direction of Richard Maltby, Jr. all work together beautifully to create a world premiere musical, Mask, that will knock your socks off. Stirring music, clever lyrics and vibrant performances by a young, energetic cast of twenty make the former Universal hit movie, Mask, into an engaging, live-wire musical designed to entertain while it educates.
It's a simple story of a single woman biker, Rusty (Michelle Duffy), whose son, Rocky (Allen E. Read), was born with a fatal disease, diagnosed at the age of three, which causes him disfigurement so that his face resembles a lion's. She raises him in the midst of a "tribe" of motor-cyclists who adopt him as their mascot. But Rocky wants to live an ordinary life, go to school, and create a normal existence for himself.
All the songs move the action forward, and they are delivered with great verve and emotion from the leads including
Dozer, special friend to Rusty and Rocky, powerfully sung by Michael Lanning who has toured with rock greats, and Rusty's returning boyfriend, Gar (Greg Evigan with top Broadway credentials.) Both of their voices brought to mind a blend of Michael MacDonald and Roy Orbison as they speak-sing their songs.
The cast of the remaining sixteen actors plays forty-three other roles as the action moves from street to home to school to the Principal's office in a matter of seconds. Credit Robert Brill for some of the fastest scene changes on any stage, and praise to David Weiner on equally excellent lighting as thd play shifts from place to place so rapidly. The costumes, designed by Maggie Morgan, are as authentic as the times - the late 1970's. Director Maltby moves the cast around with alacrity, upstage and down, with everyone on spot, on time. It's an amazing feat of direction.
One especially amusing scene is when a hooker, paid by Rusty to help initiate Rocky into sex, lights up a cigarette, looks at Rocky's disfigurement and asks him how that happened. He retorts, "I was a heavy smoker!" I won't give away any of the other dramatic, amusing moments of the play.
Joyous, uplifting, such pleasant music, great voices, a satisfying story, well acted, Mask is everything you come to theater for. And, yes, take the kids, for they need experiences like this to learn tolerance and the joy of musical theater. The end will touch your every nerve fiber.
Mask Pasadena Playhouse 39 South El Molino Avenue Pasadena Tel. 626-356-PLAY
Plays Tuesday - Friday @ 8:00 p.m.; Saturday @ 4:00 p.m. & 8:00 p.m.; Sunday @ 2:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m.
Tickets $38 - $76 Through April 20
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