Princesses throw witty shade at Disney.
“Living happily ever after can be a royal pain in the … ,” confides Snow White in “Disenchanted!”
The princesses of fairytale lore are still kvetching about how Disney coopted their true stories for formulaic cartoons, and Dennis T. Giacino’s Orlando-born musical comedy still provides a rollicking good time. Nobody’s pretending that making fun of the Disney princess image is a brand new phenomenon, but Giacino’s catchy music and emphasis on female empowerment elevate familiar jokes to delightful heights.
Vanessa Leuck’s sumptuous costumes and Gentry Akens’ handsome props also give this spirited musical revue a lift. Tweaks since its last Orlando appearance, in 2013, have produced a much more sprightly and satisfying second act, though there are still moments when this touring version of the off-Broadway show feels bloated compared to its sleeker 2011 Orlando Fringe Festival self.
I wish director Chris Bond had reigned in his leading ladies’ schtick — sometimes less is more, and there’s more than enough humor in Giacino’s snappy lyrics. But striking just the right tone: Cherise Thomas as a sassy frog-kisser; Madison Tinder in multiple loopy roles, such as a whip-carrying, hyper-German Rapunzel; and especially Ann Paula Bautista, whose lovely voice and expressive face shine in multiple parts, including spunky Hua Mulan.
“Bard Takes Broadway”
The free UCF Celebrates the Arts festival wraps up tonight at the downtown Dr. Phillips Center. The Flying Horse Big Band presents “The Bat Swings!” at 7:30 with music from the 1960s movie and television show “Batman.” At 8 p.m., the School of Performing Arts and Voci Dance present Steve Reich’s “Drumming” featuring the UCF Percussion Ensemble. For more information, go to arts.cah.ucf.edu.
Earlier this week, I was lucky enough to catch Laura Hodos’ cabaret “The Bard Takes Broadway.” “God, I hate Shakespeare,” Hodos sang at the top of the show. Those lyrics, from the Broadway musical “Something Rotten!” were given new life in Hodos’ extremely capable hands as it immediately became obvious that she in fact has a great love of Shakespeare.
What followed was a zippy 90-minute salute to the English playwright’s lasting influence on our language, theater and especially our music. Hodos energetically sold her clever material, including a lovely rendition of Jimmy Van Heusen’s “Dream That Dream,” a sexy “Why Can’t You Behave?” from “Kiss Me, Kate” and a smartly funny original song reminding us of the many common phrases introduced by Shakespeare.
The set, from Orlando Shakespeare Theater, was gorgeous. Brian Hoffman’s accompaniment and arrangements were lively without distracting. Vocalist Allyson Rosenblum and sax player Dylan Young, both UCF students, admirably complemented Hodos’ energy. Bravo.