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PLAYING
THE PALACE
The La Crosse Tribune
The La Crosse Community Theatre rolled out the red carpet for a
world premiere Friday night.
'Palace' debut simply fun
08-May-2002
By TERRY RINDFLEISCH / Of the Tribune staff
The story is entertaining and charming, with some beautiful music written
by James Merillat, who worked with the cast. Morrie Enders did it again with
brilliant direction and a delightful cast.
"Playing the Palace" is a Vaudeville-tinged stab at Shakespeare's
"Hamlet." A down-on-its-luck troupe of actors stumbles into Elsinore and
decides to pay a visit to old friend Prince Hamlet, who helps present the
play, "The Murder of Gonzago," despite a law against government funding for
the arts. They arrive at court and get comically involved in the plot
machinations of "Hamlet."
Soren, the troupe's leader, doesn't like to be upstaged - and LCCT
favorite David Maxwell was not upstaged in the role. Maxwell has fabulous
stage presence, embracing expressions and impeccable comedic timing. Maxwell
is always a joy to see and always makes a play better.
In her LCCT debut, Ilene Quartemont steals a spotlight or two with her
lovely operatic voice that is worthy of an Antonio Award. She is stunning in
two dazzling tunes, "Ponti's Terms" and "The Juggler." Quartemont teams with
Maxwell in a wonderful duet, "The Perfect Pair."
The players also highlight two of Merillat's best songs, "Playing the
Palace" and "Those That Play the Clowns." The lyrics by Dick Pasqual are
clever and witty.
Tony Love as Hamlet, Jonathan Lamb as Kaj, Daniel Fledderjohn as Henning
and Dick Sartz as Polonius provide fine supporting roles.
The curtain won't come down on this new musical. It will live to see many
more performances because it is simply fun. "Playing the Palace" continues
at the La Crosse Community Theatre today and Sunday and May 9-12, 16-19.
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