Theater Review:

'Dyin' To Be On Broadway'offers lively show tune mix at Chico Theater Company
By J. LAVELL RESK - The Buzz

The rapidly paced musical, written and directed by Marc Edson, showcased the beauty of the well-appointed theater. With a simple plot that effectively hooked the audience immediately and reeled in its attention, the show was more than just a Broadway revue.

Andy Duch (foreground) leads the rehearsal of a scene from Chico Theater Company's "Dyin' To Be On Broadway" that also features Aubry Bagshaw (from left), Jasmyn Seagraves and Granison Crawford, who appear behind him.(Jason Halley/The Buzz)

Action focused around Jerry -- elegantly played by Andy Duch -- an everyman character whose dream of becoming a song and dance man was long ago relegated to humming tunes and pushing a broom after hours as a janitor for a community theater. Then, an accident temporarily reunited Jerry with his deceased wife, Rose (humorously acted by Terry Duch). Rose's worldly advice: Tackle your dream while you still can.

Although the show revolved around the mellow-voiced Duch, the cast added individualized strength in sound as well as dance, thanks to professional musical direction by Judi Souza and choreography by Joe Garrow.

Duch opened the hit parade with a wistful, "Over the Rainbow." The chorus of 14 then crooned through a dozen song, dance and comic routines before intermission. Colorful, contemporary clothing added to the crisply delivered fun.

Brandy Jackson made her show-stopping version of "Can't Say No," from "Oklahoma," seem effortless. Notable solos followed, such as the gorgeous-voiced Souza in Carol Channing's signature, "Hello, Dolly!" and a hilarious version of "Brush up Your Shakespeare," a Duch duet comically delivered with precise diction by Mario Magana.

Judi Souza (from left), Mario Magana and Jasmyn Seagraves rehearse a scene from "Dyin' To Be On Broadway," now running at Chico Theater Company.(Jason Halley/The Buzz)

Aubry Bagshaw confidently joined Duch in a scene from "Taming of the Shrew." Amanda Raynor regaled the audience in her duet with the janitor while performing a stylish waltz to "Shall We Dance." The male chorus cavorted through "Nothin' Like a Dame," anchored by Andrew Deaver's pigtail-wigged and facile-faced muggings, Dustin Billings' clear voice and sparked by Granison Crawford's bottomless bass.

Lesley Rivera's lovely tones during "All 'er Nothin'," also from "Oklahoma," as well as Jeromy Maligie's strong vocals with "Sit Down You're Rockin' the Boat" from "Guys and Dolls" heightened Act Two's momentum.

Jasmyn Seagraves, the youngest cast member at 15, showed veteran poise. In fact, the younger performers had immense stage presence. Kaelyn Hughes took charge singing "Sue Me" and Brittany Scott's "I Don't Need Anything But You" from "Annie" wowed the audience. Bryant Jarrod contributed a neat duet with Maligie in his rendition of "Consider Yourself" from "Oliver."

Fittingly, the classic "There's No Business Like Show Business" closed the performance, spotlighting the talented cast.

"Dyin' To Be On Broadway" continues 7:30 p.m. Thursdays to Saturdays through Aug. 11, with 2 p.m. performances Sunday and Aug. 5 at Chico Theater Company, 166 Eaton Road. Tickets, $15 on Thursdays and $20 Fridays through Sundays, are available at the box office, noon-6 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday or at www.chicotheatercompany. com. Add $2 at the door. Call 894-3282.