Kismet is a romantic musical with an operatic feel and deliciously exotic costumes.
By BARBARA FREDERICKSON
Published October 29, 2004
Bob Reece lived in Saudi Arabia for almost 25 years, working as a computer security programmer. While there, he directed musicals and plays for the community theater, an avocation he continued when he settled in Florida.
So it seems natural that Stage West Community Playhouse would choose Reece to direct the musica l Kismet, an Arabian fantasy set in 1071, the zenith of the Middle East's golden age.
"I've always had a fascination with the Middle East," Reece said. Living there let him learn about it from the inside out.
Even so, directing Kismet meant more to Reece than drawing on his experiences in the Saudi culture.
"I have always loved the show Kismet. Kismet was one of the first albums I ever had," he said. "One of my high school teachers had been in the original cast."
The show is set in Baghdad, but there are no political overtones; nor is there strict adherence to Middle Eastern customs.
"We have certainly taken liberties with the culture," Reece said. "We don't have our ladies covered up in veils."
Indeed , Kismet is first and foremost a romantic tale, he said.
In it, a roguish public poet (Richard Flury, who played Billy Flynn in Playhouse 19's Chicago ) disguises himself as the beggar Hajj and sets off on a series of adventures, many of them similar to those told in 1001 Arabian Nights.
During the 24 hours he disguises himself, Hajj changes the lives of his beautiful daughter Marsinah (Kaitie Doidge, Marion in Music Man Junior ), the handsome Caliph (Michael Benson, Seymour/Dentist in Little Shop of Horrors ) and the Wicked Wazir (Doug Doidge, Eddie in Funny Girl ) , as well as the Wazir's lusty wife, Lalume (Lois Gochnauer, Stage West debut).
The musical has an operatic feel to it, thanks to tunes based on classical works by Alexander Borodin. Most recognizable are hi s Polovtsian Dances, which is turned into the romantic ballad Stranger in Paradise , and his D-Major String Quartet, which becomes the stirring And This Is My Beloved.
An imaginative backdrop painted by Polly Hilgert and Richard Flury sets the mood.
Perhaps most important are the costumes being made by award-winning costume designer Madeline Child and her assistants, Ann Lusick, Andi Pacheko and members of the cast.
"There are somewhere around 75 costumes, plus turbans, hats and other things," Ms. Child said.
Her familiarity with the costumes in Stage West's upstairs storage racks have helped to keep the costs down.
"I'm incorporating and changing them so they look like this period," she said. "I've taken apart the butterfly from Gypsy and made it into a harem skirt. I'm using things from Joseph (and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat) , Man of La Mancha and Gypsy - anything I can find."
Her employer, Patricia's Boutique, in Brooksville, donated some beaded dresses. Costume designer Dick Poole, who directs at Tarpon Springs Performing Arts Center, Richey Suncoast Theatre and Francis Wilson Playhouse, loaned her several outfits.
"That's what saved us," Ms. Child said.
"I always say I'm going to quit (making costumes), but that's not ever going to happen," she said as she stitched on bangles and beads.
"I'm enjoying this. It's the creativity."
IF YOU GO
WHAT : Kismet, a musical
WHERE: Stage West Community Playhouse, 8390 Forest Oaks Blvd., Spring Hill
WHEN: Thursday and weekends through Nov. 21. Shows are at 8 p.m., except Sundays at 2 p.m.
TICKETS: $16, reserved seating. Box office is open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and one hour before each show. Call 352 683-5113 or go online to www.stagewest.net and click on TicketLeap.
