NEWS

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Head Over Heels performances continue this weekend. (photo by: Sydney Schertz)

The traditional musical Davidson Community Players stages each summer is anything but traditional this year. “Head Over Heels,” adapted by James Magruder from the original book by Jeff Whitty, stretches the genre of stories across the ages.

The story of “Head Over Heels” is a mash-up of classical Renaissance adventures with iconic post-punk rock, Go-Go music of the 80s. However, it seems to take a while to amalgamate the time-worn tale of hope and love, despite the inclusion of more current wacky quirks tucked into the narrative of the play.

DCP’s production isn’t to blame—the joint is jumping at the Duke Family Performance Hall at Davidson College. The staging is nice—vibrant ensemble, lovely voices, beautiful costumes, creative scenic design, lights, and sound. It’s the twelve musical numbers in the first act of “Head Over Heels” and another eight to wrap up the story that seem to drag.

Can’t say others would agree. Touted to be a crowd-pleaser, despite its short-lived 2018 run on Broadway, the success of “Head Over Heels” at DCP is relative. Some in the audience left early the night I was there. But youthful teens in the orchestra pit whooped and cheered enthusiastically at the rendering of each song!

I applaud the treatment of diversity in the storyline of “Head Over Heels” and in DCPs selection of actors. Chris Patton directed a cast of more than a dozen talented area actors, most of whom are performing on the Davidson stage for the first time.

As Basilius, the king, Rob Addison’s commanding singing voice is powerful, although he tends to yell his spoken lines. He and the graceful Lisa Schacher as Gynecia, the queen, blend their tunes delightfully well together. Their daughters, Jassi Bynum as Pamela and Kiearra Gary as Philoclea, are seeking love partners.

Tommy Foster plays Dametas, Nonye Obichere plays Mopsa, Kel Wright is Musidorus, and Treyveon Purvis performs the role of Pythio.

Kudos go to Yvette Moten for amazingly creative costumes and to music director Matthew Primm for the rhythm of his Go-Go tunes.

Rachel Peterson’s choreography is impressive. Her talented Ensemble dancers deliver joyful energy to the development of “Head Over Heels” story line. They include Connor Cooper, A J White, Kendall Aguirre, C J Peters, Hadley Ashcraft, Trulyn Rhinehardt, Kate Brower, Jianna Moss and Colleen Wanemacher. They are terrific!

It is always impressive to see new talent perform on the DCP stage. Seems like the theatrical scene around Lake Norman is expanding. Hopefully some of those singers, dancers, and actors will return.