Lucky Stiff brings the laughs to Gem Valley Performing Arts Center

Grace was treated to three days of comic delight recently in the form of the farce “Lucky Stiff,” a musical play based on the 1983 novel “The Man Who Broke the Bank at Monte Carlo” by Michael Butterworth.  

Despite a number of unexpected events during the play’s run—including injuries, illnesses, and other unforeseen—the production was immensely entertaining, and a great showcase of local talents.  Directed by Eli Hubbard, “Lucky Stiff” is his tenth production, and both the cast and the audience were the recipients of a nicely executed directing job, and, as Hubbard mentioned at the outset of the play, an impressive all around display of music, staging, lighting, costuming, rehearsal, and choreography know-how.

The play itself has the pacing of a relatively modern production (it hurts to admit that the 80s and 90s are only “relatively” modern) in the sense that it moves at a quick clip and involves a number of quick transitions between sets.  At times, the banter is also quick, which was nicely handled by the cast.

As the central protagonists of the play, the romantic leads of Jack Mussler as bedraggled shoe salesman Harry Witherspoon, and Aleaha Medina as soft-hearted director of a dog charity Annabel Glick, stand as a reasonably calm duo around which the madcap events play out.  Mussler did a great job of reacting throughout the play, and Medina handled her role with an confident assurance.  

The vast majority of other characters, though, fell more comfortably into the madcap side of things.  From a full range of character roles throughout the production to the lead antagonists, there was enough zany to satisfy almost anyone’s needs.  

As standouts, Shadrick Zulu as Vinnie Diruzzio and Trinity Corder as Rita La Porta did an amazing job inhabiting character roles that required a lot of well-done physical characterization, as well as sustained accent and intonation skill.  Corder’s use of her high heels to add an extra comic dimension to the proceedings was a great touch, and Zulu’s nebbish nervousness was infectious.

Kate Williams as chanteuse Dominque Dumonaco was nicely done, as she did a great job capturing both the breathiness and goofiness that the role required, and commanding the most thematically important musical number of the play.

A special shout out should be given to Axel Hubbard, who stepped into a variety of…interesting roles and brought down the house on each occasion.

But an extra, extra special shout out is reserved for Landry Crane, who had the interesting task of making a nominally dead man into one of the most entertaining characters in the play.  With quick reactions and improv skills on full display, Crane was a delight to watch as he more than filled a wheelchair in a constantly amusing way.      

The cast also included the talents of Alex Mateos as Luigi Gaudi, Cayson Higley as Tony’s Voice, Kaylie Humphreys as the Landlady, Hailey Hall as the Truck Driver, Bella Zulu and Lakelynn Zulu as the Spinster Sisters, Kirynn Crosbie and Izzy Dille as the Rock out Punks, Williams as the Lawyer, Faith Smith as the Lawyer’s Secretary, Tyelor Turner as the Nurse, Alexia Coburn as Mrs. Loomis and the Leper, Taygen Peck as the French Waiter and Bell Hop, Eliza Bell and Bailey Mickelson as the Southern Women, Adrian Mejia as the Rich Traveler, Alexis Bitton as the Nun, Skout Hardy as the Drunk Maid/Messenger, Rhylie Smith as the Casino Worker, Bentley Peck as the Old Texan, Aspen Thomas, Norma Tedrow, Axel Hubbard, Della Hubbard, and Eli Hubbard as Bell boys.  Dominique’s Dancers were Alexis Bitton, Alexia Coburn, Kirynn Crosbie, Izzy Dille, Skout Hardy, Kylie Humphreys, Tyelor Turner, Lakelynn Zulu.  

The Accompanists did a great job with a quick and varied score, and were Beth Buxton and Lisa Swensen.

The tech crew was composed of Zakery Smith and Norma Tedrow.

Light and sound was run by Grady Hubbard and Collin Draper.

Choreographer for the dance numbers was Makala Clark.

“Lucky Stiff” was an excellent way to ring out the Spring drama season, and here’s hoping for Hubbard’s number eleven!