Theatre & Stage reviews by SalsaChicago.com critic Al Bresloff

Sunset Boulevard (thru Novemner 17th)

By special arrangement with Andrew Lloyd Webber's Really Useful Group and The Rodgers & Hammerstein Library, Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire is the first regional Theater given the rights to produce the amazing Sunset Boulevard. This musical based on the 1950's classic movie is the portrait of Norma Desmond, a forgotten silent film star with delusions of a comeback on the silver screen. Her chance encounter with Joe Gillis, a writer, leads them down a destructive path of romance, deceit and ultimate tragedy. The music is enchanting and spine tingling "With One Look" and "As If We Never Said Goodbye" have been recorded by many of our top vocalists and Paula Scrofano is a marvelous Norma. Not only is her vocal ability perfection, but her portrayal of the character is flawless. Matt Farnsworth is a strong Joe Gillis and John Reeger (Ms. Scrofano's real life husband) while not a true singer is such a strong actor he can sell his songs and does so with style and class as Max, Norma's driver/servant who loves her with all of his heart and soul. Heidi Kettenring ( always a standout) is Betty Schaefer, the love interest for Joe (even through Norma has other plans).

Joe Leonardo takes this cast and uses the small arena stage to perfection. In the original production, the set was a major part of the play with this wonderful mansion rising up from the stage. Once again, Marriott has proven to be up to the task of creating illusion (after all, isn't this what theater is?) using scrims and film to create car chases and visits to the studio and the grandeur of Norma's home is indeed there. Eric Hoit's choreography makes this small venue appear much larger and his dancers can do almost anything. The ensemble in a production like this is a key that often gets overlooked. Many play multi roles and do it well. A tip of the hat to: David Girolmo, James Harms, Roger Anderson, Rod Thomas, Cheryl Avery, Bobbie Bagby, Jeff Dumas,Angela Feeny, Jeff Kuhl, Catherine Lord, Susie McMonagle, Susan Moniz, Jeff Parker, Bob Pries, Jonathan Raviv, George Andrew Wolff and Daniel Zakarija- without these talented ensemble members a production like this could never succeed- and this one succeeds to the hilt!

Sunset Boulevard will run at the Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire located at the Marriott Resort at 10 Marriott Drive ( just off Rte 21/Milwaukee Avenue and Rte 22 /Half Day Rd) through November 17th. Tickets are available at the box office, by phone at 847-634-0204 or online at MarriottTheatre.com.

There is plenty of free parking on the property and lots of great restaurants in the area ( as well as two dining rooms at the Resort).