Broward Stage Door: No No Nanette (1 review)

Broward Stage Door's production of No, No, Nannette opened on August 21, 2009, in Coral Springs, Florida.

This is the story of Jimmy Smith and all the trouble he gets into and out of on a summer weekend. Included in the score are two of the most famous show tunes ever written: Tea for Two and I Want to Be Happy. The whole experience is refreshing, silly and uplifting!

Dan Kelly directs a cast that includes Jonathan Bauchman, Chris Chianesi, Sabrina Cohen, Erin Dowling, Lissen Ellington, Eliana Ghen, Kaia Marguerite, Kristen Marie, Kimberley Xavier Martins, John Ramsey, Elissa Solomon, Shain R. Stroff, Jonathan Van Dyke, Conor Walton, Joey Zangardi, and Lauren Zapko. Musical Direction by Phil Hinton, choreography by Chrissi Ardito.

John La Riviere reviewed for TalkinBroadway.com:

The Stage Door Theatre production of No, No, Nanette is completely charming. It is artfully choreography by Chrissi Ardito in a style reminiscent of a Busby Berkeley musical. Well known songs "Tea for Two" and "I Want to Be Happy" are sung and reprised with long tap dance sequences featuring the members of the ensemble in a variety of combinations. These changing combinations, and entrances and exits of the dancers, provide layers and visual texture to the dancing that holds the audience's interest. While the ensemble dancing is uniformly crisp, dancer Shain R. Stroff seems the best at making it all look effortless.

The costuming for this production is surprisingly good. It steers away from the stereotypical fringe and beads of the flapper, and concentrates on the color schemes, drop waists, geometric prints and head pieces of the era. There are some nice details are in the coordination of the ensemble's color scheme, which is an area frequently overlooked. The closing number dress for Sue (played by Kimberley Xavier Martins) is indeed sensational. It looks like it was made just for her as its cut and pattern colors hit her figure in all the right places.

The cast has great on-stage chemistry and an understanding of the acting style required of this genre. If you are fan of the old-fashioned musical, you will find exactly what you are looking for in this production of No, No, Nanette.

No, No, Nanette plays at the Broward Stage Door Theatre through September 27, 2009.