Sweet Charity - Pioneer Theater Company

What happens when you take three of the greatest geniuses of American theater and have them write create a new show? Sweet Charity is what happens and it is currently running in a brilliant production by the Pioneer Theater Company (click here to see a preview video of the show).

With music by the legendary Cy Coleman (19-time Tony Award Nominee), a book by prolific genius playwright Neil Simon (winner of more Tony's than any other playwright in history), and directed by and choreography by the brilliant and celebrated Bob Fosse, Sweet Charity is a staple in the American musical theater cannon.

Nancy Lemenager as Charity

Charity Hope Valentine, played by Nancy Lemenager, works as a call girl in late 1960s New York City. Charity has been through it all, a depressing job, being thrown in a lake by her fiancee, and robbed by the same; but she maintains an infectious air of optimism and naiveté about her. In a role that can easily fall into the "dumb bimbo" trope, Lemenager navigates the role carefully and brilliantly. She is so genuine and delightfully sincere as Charity faces fortune and misfortune alike. She absolutely steals the show leaving the audience heartbroken for her as much as laughing at her silly circumstances she finds herself in. Lemenager is as darling of a dancer as an actor and a true delight to see her on the stage. Truly this is a role she was meant to play!

The entire cast was excellent, from Sean McDermott as the lusty Itallian Vittorio to Gerry McIntyre as Big Daddy Brubeck. The line-up of fellow call girls with Charity were a highlight. Each had great personality and their droll and unamused interpretation of the classic song "Big Spender" was as hilarious as it was actually poignant. Particularly of note were the vocal chords of Natalie Hill as Helene. Her singing was the standout vocals of the show.

A clever set design by George Maxwell hearkened to 60s nostalgia like Laugh In, always full of surprises. With a clever use of color and shapes he created a fun atmosphere perfectly suited for the tone and setting of the show. Equally fantastic were the costumes designed by Patrick Holt. Whether it was the "hippy" style, beatniks, or "preppy" the costumes were both fun and authentic.

Inspired by the peculiarly fascinating moves of Bob Fosse, Director-Choreographer Karen Azenberg's choreography was the star of the show. A scene in the "Pompeii Club" particularly highlighted the whole cast and this wonderful choreography. Clad in a 60s-chic beatnik style and referencing the work of infamous model Lesley "Twiggy" Lawson, the dancing was absolutely delightful, unique and as entertaining as can possibly be!

With an impeccable performance and cast, Sweet Charity is a tight piece of theater thanks to it's witty dialogue and excellent construction by Neil Simon. Not only is it a blast to see, but it's an excellent piece of theater.

This past season, Pioneer Theater Company brought us a large variety of consistently fine shows from Elf: The Musical, to A Few Good Men and Much Ado About Nothing, but Sweet Charity takes the prize as their best production of the season! They have channelled wonderful talent far and wide to put together a delightful show of the quality of any broadway production you might see. Do not miss the opportunity to see this excellent production of a show that is the result of a collaboration of some of the greatest minds in musical theater history! The show runs through May 24th, and don't forget to check out Pioneer Theater's exciting 2014-2015 season!