Cinnabar puts on a 'Most Happy' show

Run, don't walk, to see Cinnabar's excellent production of this rarely-performed musical

September 21, 2005

By KATIE WATTS
FOR THE ARGUS-COURIER

"The Most Happy Fella" takes place in an idealized 1940s Napa Valley, in that lovely musical comedyland where everyone is pink-cheeked and smiling, sings and dances gloriously, and all stories end happily ever after. Tender and romantic, it's a show not to be missed. Fans of musicals, of opera, of Cinnabar Theater, put down the paper now and call 763-8920. You don't want to lose your chance to see Cinnabar's production of this very special musical, which opened Friday and runs through Oct. 15.

On May 3, 1956, "The Most Happy Fella" opened on Broadway. Frank Loesser pulled off a creative hat trick, writing music and lyrics as well as adapting the book from Sidney Howard's Pulitzer Prize-winning play, "They Knew What They Wanted." The show, which ran for two years, might well have won the Tony award for Best Musical, had not "My Fair Lady" opened two months previously.

An integral part of what is termed the Golden Age of Musical Comedy, "The Most Happy Fella" broke new ground for the genre: it is what might be termed a Broadway opera, anticipating shows such as "Sweeney Todd" and "Les Miserables." Loesser refused to use the o-word, preferring to call it "a musical with music," or "an extended musical comedy."

All that aside, it's clear why Loesser wouldn't call it an opera -- it's not. It really is a musical.

And what music! People over a certain age will remember when "Standing On the Corner (Watching All the Girls Go By)," was a chart-topper for The Four Lads and "Joey, Joey, Joey" and "Big D" were also major radio hits. Loesser had been a popular songwriter for years, with tunes ranging from World War II's "Praise the Lord and Pass the Ammunition" to "Baby, It's Cold Outside." When he began writing musicals, he was able to expand his repertoire. In "Most Happy Fella" we get arias, recitatives, duets, canons, choral numbers, dances, instrumental interludes, parodies and folk hymns -- in addition to standard musical comedy numbers.

"Loesser's people sing their thoughts, joys and heartbreaks, instead of talking about them," wrote critic Robert Coleman. Musical historian Lehman Engel stated, "The fact that characters speak and sing in the American vernacular is one of the [reasons] it works so well. Whether in song, recitative or speech, the use of simple conversational English is so well-conceived that 'The Most Happy Fella' can be thoroughly meaningful -- amusing and touching -- to any American, regardless of his education, experience or background."

For 35 years, Cinnabar Theater has been bringing opera to the North Bay, so "The Most Happy Fella" is a perfect fit. Although it's a well-crafted and dramatic show, it isn't often performed because it is musically demanding and calls for strong singers -- something Cinnabar is adept at supplying.

Stephen Walsh is an ideal choice for Tony Esposito, the title character, an Italian grape rancher looking for love. Tara Generalovich as Amy, the object of his affections (whom he names Rosabella), plays her part to perfection -- a lonely waitress who's looking for "somebody somewhere [who] wants me and needs me." Elly Lichenstein breaks your heart as Tony's overprotective, frustrated older sister and Joe Kinyon's Joey, Tony's handsome foreman, not only gets to sing the beautiful "Joey, Joey, Joey," he brings real depth and understanding to a role that could easily be reduced to just a philanderer with a wanderlust.

A true '50s musical isn't complete without a second banana couple supplying the humor, and Cary Ann Rosko and Miguel Evangelista offer delicious comic timing, both together and apart, as Cleo and Herman, respectively. Cleo's "Ooh My Feet," that opens the show, is a hymn to anyone who's ever had to stand all day.

Special mention must be made of Nick Aliaga (Pasquale), George Arana (Giuseppe) and Jonathan Smucker (Ciccio), who shamelessly and gloriously ham up their folk arias to the glories of Italian food. (Note: it would be wise to have a large, preferably Italian, dinner before going, otherwise Tony's lavish banquet table may set your stomach rumbling.)

Aloysha Klebe's spare set and a two-piano accompaniment, rather than a full orchestra, reduces the Broadway feel of the show, and gives the chance to clearly see what a truly rich show this is.

(Contact Katie Watts at argus@arguscourier.com)

THE MOST HAPPY FELLA

What: Frank Loesser's musical set in the Napa Valley in the 1940s; the opening show of the Cinnabar Theater's 2005-2006 season.

Where: Cinnabar Theater, 3333 Petaluma Blvd. North.

When: Sept. 23, 25, 30; Oct. 1, 8, 9, 14, 15. Performance times are 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays. Closing night offers a $10 wine and dessert party that starts at 7 p.m.

Tickets: $32 general, $30 seniors and students.

Information: Call 763-8920 or go to www. cinnabartheater.org.