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A musical coming to the Angel Cabaret has all the songs that were popular at the time.
By BARBARA L. FREDRICKSEN, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times, published June 28, 2002
Director Jimmy Ferraro calls the musical opening July 5 at his Angel Cabaret Theatre "a cute little romp through the 1950s."
The show, named The Taffetas, is the story of four young, female singers hoping to get their big break in showbiz on the television show, Spotlight on Music. Set in 1954 in Muncie, Ind., it has all the songs that were popular at that time: Mr. Sandman, Where the Boys Are, Sincerely, Sh-Boom, Rag Mop, How Much Is That Doggie in the Window? and so many others.
"Some people call it the female (version of) Forever Plaid," the story of four young men recreating the night in the 1950s that they were supposed to get their big break in showbiz, Ferraro said. Only, in The Taffetas, the girls aren't killed on their way to the big show, like the young men in Forever Plaid were.
"They're alive and well," Ferraro said.
"This show has all the elements of the Plaids -- the 1950s commercials, too -- and it's about their relationships with each other," Ferraro said.
To play Cheryl, one of the singers, Ferraro is bringing back Belinda Johnson, who played the down-to-earth redhead, Rhetta Cupp, in the Angel Cabaret's musical Pump Boys and Dinettes earlier this season. At other theaters, Ms. Johnson has played Laurey inOklahoma!, Sandy in Grease, Cinderella in Into the Woods, Tuptim in The King and I.She has been Ariel in The Voyage of the Little Mermaid at the Disney/MGM Studios in Orlando, among many other roles.
To play Peggy, Ferraro is bringing back Kristin Graf, who played the spunky Ruby in the Angel's recent production of Dames at Sea. Ms. Graf has performed at both Disney/MGM Studios and Universal Orlando, as well as at several theaters. She says her favorite roles have been Kim MacAfee in Bye, Bye, Birdie (the girl who wins a kiss from the departing Conrad Birdie), Minnie Fay in Hello, Dolly and J.W. Hughes in Retrieving the Lamb.
The other two roles are being filled by theater veterans who are new to the Angel Cabaret stage, Jenny Langford and Stefanie Legan.
Ms. Langford has performed at the Mad Cow Theatre and the Civic Theatre, both in Orlando, and as Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady with Plant City Entertainment.
Ms. Legan has sung and danced various roles at Walt Disney World and Universal Studios, where she appeared in a Taffetas-like girl group, 4 Girls Only. She has played Guinevere in Camelot, Cinderella in Into the Woods, Sister Sarah Brown in Guys and Dolls and Marion Paroo in The Music Man.
Broadway veteran Nicolette Boothby is directing and choreographing the production. Her credits include roles in Broadway and national tours of 42nd Street, Crazy for You, Will Rogers Follies and A Chorus Line. She has choreographed and directed, among other shows, Forever Plaid and The Taffetas.
WHAT: The Taffetas
WHERE: Angel Cabaret Theatre, 5201 U.S. 19, New Port Richey
WHEN: July 5-Aug. 4. Performances are at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 6 p.m. Sundays and some Saturdays at 1:30 p.m. Doors open two hours before each show for buffet and cash bar.
TICKETS: Dinner and show, $32.50; show only, $19.95. Ages 12 and younger, $19.95 and $14.95. Call (727) 847-0019 for reservations.