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Big Dipper Productions
Presents a Pre-Production Reading of:
All Dressed Up and Nowhere to Go
www.alldressedupthemusical.com
Book by Catherine Filloux and John Daggett
Music & Lyrics by Jimmy Roberts
Additional Lyrics by John Daggett
Directed by Hannah Ryan
Musical Direction by Jimmy Roberts
Casting Director: Geoff Josselson
Press: Susan L. Schulman
Stage Manager: Kelly A. Martindale
Stage Directions: Lynette R. Freeman
With:
NaTasha Yvette Williams as Joan Wilkes
Jordan Barrow as Dez
Sean Allan Krill as Jacky (Jake) Barnes
Robert Wesley Mason as Amos King
Caitlin Houlahan as Rebecca
Maybe Burke as Barbie
Liz Larsen as Bonnie & Others
DeMone as Mr. Sapper & Others
Nehal Joshi as Officer Finlay & Others
Lori Hammel as Sarah Smucker & Others
At
Pearl Studios
500 Eighth Avenue
NY, NY 10018
Dr. Roberta E. Zlokower
October 12, 2018
See a Link to Two Reviews of Jimmy Roberts’ I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change.
See a Link to a Review of Jimmy Roberts’ The Thing About Men.
Read about the Creative Team here.
Jimmy Roberts has another hit on his hands, as his newest musical, All Dressed Up and Nowhere To Go, received a standing ovation at today’s afternoon reading at Pearl Studios. I had effusively reviewed twice his I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change, and I now happily see that he has revised it recently. My rave review of his other musical, The Thing About Men, is also linked above. Jimmy has a way of maximizing the humor in relationships, urban survival, the dating scene, and outlandish, comical personalities. Catherine Filloux and John Daggett wrote the book, with Mr. Daggett writing additional lyrics. The Pearl Studio was packed with Jimmy’s fans today, and I sat along the side wall.
The cast, seated in a row, in front of the seated audience, could be heard well enough, but I really look forward to seeing the ensemble in action, moving about and interacting, not just verbally. The vocal performances in fifteen musical numbers (quite a feat) were fantastic, especially that of NaTasha Ivette Williams, who also performs in local cabaret. Her solos, singing “Sanctuary” and “Windows”, brought vocal audience accolades. Robert Wesley Mason, as Amos King, was also mesmerizing when he sang “Carriages”. Sean Allan Krill, as Jacky (Jake) Barnes, has a dynamic presence and persuasiveness even in a line reading. His “Jacky Calls Marcy” and “Last Call” were especially poignant and powerful. I spoke with him and Ms. Williams after the reading. Liz Larsen, as well, caught my ear and eye frequently, with effusive personality.
The show’s theme is evocative of au courant reality television. This is an exact copy of the production’s official Synopsis:
”JOAN WILKES, “Buffalo’s Favorite Diva,” must sell The Big Dipper Inn, her magical but debt-ridden motel known for its singing hostess and rich family history. Her son, DEZ, is all set to go to a pricey university, so she needs some serious cash. Ambitious realtor BONNIE HASKINS is strong-arming JOAN to close the deal with Highland Corp and guarantee her promotion to Senior VP.
Outside, a raging blizzard has caused a van filled with AMISH folks to collide with a charter bus carrying a group of CROSS-DRESSERS. The State Police bring the stranded passengers to the Dipper to wait out the storm, and JOAN reluctantly takes them in.
Hotshot lawyer JAKE BARNES (aka JACKY) frantically hides his cross-dressing from his wife. Transgender pal, BARBIE, carries a torch for her high-strung companion and is obsessed with getting to Toronto for the “Ladies of the Lake” talent show. Amish widower, AMOS KING, wants his rebellious daughter REBECCA to join the church and marry. But she has plans of her own, including a solemn pilgrimage to Niagara Falls. And no one will listen to MR. SAPPER, retired musician and permanent resident of the inn, until he discovers some unexpected answers deep inside Buffalo’s antebellum past that might change everyone's plans.
As the snow falls and hostilities rise, DEZ and REBECCA suddenly go missing, and JOAN must rally the troops to rescue the teens. Along the way, this group of misfits forms a community with a common purpose, perhaps strong enough to save JOAN'S beloved Big Dipper and become a family she never knew she had.” (Production Website Synopsis)
This truly adorable and ebullient musical deserves to be rehearsed and workshopped so that it can enjoy a run in an Off-Broadway theater very soon. There is compelling potential in the concept, and the songs are hugely entertaining. I recommend blending elements in the plot to tighten the dramatic impact. Jimmy Roberts is a proven pro and a highly successful composer and lyricist. I wish him, Ms. Filloux, Mr. Daggett, and the Company the best, as this show evolves.
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