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Regional Reviews: Phoenix Leading Ladies Also see Gil's reviews of Mamma Mia! and The Scarlet Pimpernel
Set in the early 1950s, Leading Ladies follows two struggling Shakespearean actors from England, Leo and Jack, who find themselves down on their luck while touring Pennsylvania and playing at third tier venues, including the local Moose Lodge. When they read in the local paper about an elderly woman searching for her long-lost English nephews to leave her fortune to, they hatch a scheme to impersonate the relatives. There's just one hitch. Leo didn't clearly read the newspaper article and the missing heirs are actually the woman's nieces. What follows is a hilarious adventure of double-crosses, unexpected love, and numerous wigs and dresses as the two men don feminine disguises and attempt to blend in with the rest of the family, only to discover their plans for deception might be derailed by their hearts. While Ludwig's play is fairly well crafted and very funny at times, comedies that rely on deception from men dressing up like women for humorous purposes often stem from gender stereotypes that don't exactly align with contemporary views. While the premise may still generate laughs, it risks reinforcing outdated notions about gender roles since more modern works have moved away from humor or stories that rely on stereotypes or make fun of those differences. Ludwig does, however, add in an intriguing potential same-sex relationship revelation that does bring a more contemporary view to the play. The entire cast bring the zany characters to life with gusto. As Leo and Jack, Brett Etzel and Matthew R. Harris navigate the physical comedy and quick changes with impressive timing and charm. Leo is the more confident and scheming of the duo, often taking the lead in their outrageous plans, and Etzel is appropriately quick-witted, theatrical, and charming in the role. Jack, by contrast, is more hesitant and good-natured, often playing the reluctant sidekick to Leo's grand schemes. Harris is excellent in depicting how, while Jack is initially uncomfortable with their deception, he proves endearing and sincere, especially as he finds himself genuinely falling in love along the way. Emily R. Sussman is lovely as Meg, the would-be heiress and the cousin of the missing relatives, and the romantic interest to Leo. Sussman brings warmth and sincerity to the role, making her character's emotional arc believable and sweet. Florence, the no-nonsense, elderly matriarch, is played with sharp comedic delivery by Priscilla Bertling, while Daniel V. Brugger portrays the stern Reverend Duncan in a perfectly pompous way which makes him a fun foil to the imposters. Alexandra Utpadel brings a delightful energy and plenty of joy to the quirky Audrey. As Doc, Tom Endicott has several fun moments with perfect facial expressions and comical line delivery, and Brandon Erickson-Moen is charming in the small role of Butch. Cheryl Schaar's direction smartly leans into the humor while ensuring the characters remain grounded and likable. Schaar's staging maximizes the physical comedy and makes good use of the in-the-round space without ever letting the humorous moments become too farcical or overly chaotic. Alexandra Utpadel designed the hair, wigs and makeup, which deliver some very fun looks for Etzel and Harris as the female nieces, and Heather Riddle's gorgeous costumes deliver some lovely period perfect styles for the entire cast. The fun scene change music adds an upbeat energy between scenes. However, I have a small quibble concerning a few of the musical snippets sung by the characters or played for a charming dance number. These include a few lyrics from West Side Story and Flower Drum Song as well as an instrumental version of Roy Orbison's hit song "Oh, Pretty Woman," which all post-date the play's early 1950s setting and threaten to take the audience out of the period of the play. Despite a somewhat slower start to the action, a slight shortcoming with the few non-period music pieces used, and the fact that cross-dressing comedies rely on outdated gender stereotypes, Leading Ladies at Don Bluth Front Row Theatre is still a lot of fun. It's a light-hearted romp led by a winning cast who bring humor and heart in equal measure. Leading Ladies runs through June 21, 2025, at Don Bluth Front Row Theatre, 8989 E. Vía Linda #118, Scottsdale AZ. For tickets and information, please visit www.donbluthfrontrowtheatre.com or call 480-314-0841. Directed by Cheryl Schaar Cast: |
