Front Row (L-R) Sarah Johansen, Sean Garcia, Traci Denhardt, Geneva Croteau. Back Row (L-R) Matthew Rigby and Hunter Aldridge. Photo by Alison Harbaugh, Sugar Farm Productions.
Old and new come together in the hit musical comedy “Head Over Heels.” With a plot adapted from Sir Phillip Sidney’s 16th-century “The Countess of Pembroke’s Arcadia” and music and lyrics from the catalog of 1980s New Wave rock group The Go-Go’s, the popular jukebox musical is the brainchild of American playwright Jeff Whitty. Opening on Broadway in 2018, the play is now making its way through community theaters.
Charming, socially relevant, and hilariously heart-warming, “Head Over Heels” is delighting audiences. Don’t miss out on this wonderfully funny show!
Set in the peaceful land of Arcadia, the royal family and their subjects credit their prosperity and happiness to “The Beat.” When the oracle Pythio predicts the Beat will end following fruition of four prophesies, including the arrival of a better ruler, King Basilius sets out to find and murder his would-be rival. In an effort not to alarm his family, he and his advisor Dametas tell the royal household that they are hunting for a golden stag. Since three of the prophesies involve the love lives of various family members, Basilius insists they accompany him on the hunt. Their presence ensures that he and Dametas will be able to keep an eye on them. What follows is a series of uproarious misunderstandings before love can be lost and found and all the prophesies fulfilled.
Under the direction of Mark Briner, Annapolis Summer Garden Theatre’s production of “Head Over Heels” is funny and entertaining. It also offers up a bit of social commentary on the importance of change. Sean Garcia plays the jolly, but conservative King Basilius, whose traditional views puts his kingdom at risk. Traci Denhardt is his wise Queen Gynecia. Sarah Johansen is their beautiful older daughter, Pamela. The king is eager to see her wed, but she refuses her many suitors. Meanwhile, their younger daughter, Philoclea, portrayed by Geneva Croteau, is in love with Musidorus, a poor shepherd played by Matthew Rigby. Of course, they must keep their relationship hidden.
Hunter Aldridge plays Dematas, the king’s trusted viceroy and a longtime widower with romantic regrets. Ally Baca is Mopsa, Demata’s daughter and Pamela’s maid. She, too, has a secret and forbidden love. Ethan Keller is the non-binary oracle Pythio whose surprising connection to the royal household is not revealed until the final scene.
With the central theme of love is love in its many forms, “Head Over Heels” has become an important show to the LGBTQ+ community. Genders are fluid and conventional sexuality is challenged. In the end, acceptance and change are necessary for Arcadia’s survival.
All performances are strong throughout this production and the cast is delightful. Garcia and Denhardt have a natural chemistry making them believable as a middle-aged, married couple. Rigby shows a gift for physical comedy. Keller channels the energy, bravado, and elegance of the most glamorous drag queens. Baca, Johansen, and Croteau deliver especially strong vocals. Aldridge is excellent as both the voice of reason and of loss.
The costumes, especially those of the many ensemble dancers, are a fun mix of Elizabethan-era ruffles, S & M-inspired leather, and 1980s Valley Girl fashion, thanks to the creativity of Costume Designer Lisa Chadwick, assisted by McKenna Chadwick, Karen Grant, Jenna Grifo, Lisa Smith, and Valerie Yearwood. As for the music, it’s the Go-Go’s! Music Director/Conductor Ken Kimble does right by the most successful all-female band of all time.
Charming, socially relevant, and hilariously heart-warming, “Head Over Heels” is delighting audiences. Don’t miss out on this wonderfully funny show!
Running time: Two hours with one 15-minute intermission.
Advisory: Rated PG-13. Adult themes.
“Head Over Heels” runs through June 17, 2023, Thursdays through Sundays with a special performance on Wednesday, June 14 at Annapolis Summer Garden Theatre, 143 Compromise Street, Annapolis, MD 21401. For more information and tickets, go online.
