It’s quite a combo to mix 500-year-old characters with today's hipsters, but that what the Prince William Little Theatre has done with its latest show, Head Over Heels, an adult comedy on stage through Sunday night at the Hylton Performing Arts Center in Manassas.
It's all about the royal family of Arcadia on a musical journey to save its "beat" as the Oracle Pythio has warned the nobility to act now or forever forget their kingdom.
What's love got to do with it?
Why it makes the world go 'round, of course, especially when the King and Queen of Arcadia (Chris Anderson and Jolene Vettese) have two daughters they're just itching to get hitched.
In a gentle but authentic performance, Grace Miller is Princess Philoclea, the younger daughter, who is smitten by Musidorus (Nathan Peck), a mere shepherd boy and not good enough for his offspring, thinks the king.
The older daughter, Pamela (Brittany Washington), is the more beautiful child (she says so herself), with so many suitors, what's a poor girl to do?
(She eventually wakes up to love in the most conspicuous of places. Thank you, handmaid Mopsa [Meredith Kilmartin].)
The Royal Couple isn't the happiest of married couples, it soon becomes obvious. To be kind: They tolerate each other but they got the beat and shout out "This Old Feeling" when the king's eyes shut so tightly I thought they were permanently glued.
It was a stunning delivery (the king also doubles as music director) like the queen's exasperations and wifely responses known to too many wives throughout Arcadia. (Make that, the world.)
Pythio (Clayton Alex Jones) comes on scene (an absolute killer whenever they make an appearance with sweeping gestures and exaggerated slow talk), surrounded by aides wearing head dresses of rhinestoned snakes.
The non-binary oracle adds to their allure that that "heaven is a place on earth" if we become more tolerant and generous to those around us.
Although language in the show is rated "g," it's got the best simulated sex scene I've seen, moving to the audience's whoops and whistles. (Wowsers! "Love with a Stranger" is not sung.)
Also in the cast is Andrew Morin as Dametas, the king's courtier and Mopsa's father.
This show has lots of action and great duets, particularly when Princess Pamela and Mopsa sing duets and harmonize.
A big painting in the middle of the stage announces scene changes to show exactly where on their trip the Royal Family is. (Joey Olson, set designer.)
It's no surprise to learn the costumes (by Susy Moorstein and Riley Leonhardt) are a mix of yesterday and today.
The welcome six-member band, under the baton of Matthew Scarborough, is mostly unseen on an elevated platform.
The welcome six-member band, under the baton of Matthew Scarborough, is mostly unseen on an elevated platform.
Members of the creative team include Melanie McGuin, director and choreographer; Laura Mills and Melissa Jo York-Tilley, producers; Cristina Casais, assistant choreographer; Kasey Moore and Esther Wells, stage managers; Leonhardt and York-Tilley, hair and makeup; Draconia Craig and Melanie McCleerey, properties.
Also, Ken and Patti Crowley, lighting; Tim McCleerey, sound; and Lanny Warkentien, lion tamer.
With adaptation by James Magruder, Jeff Whitty wrote this "jukebox musical" of mostly popular tunes from the past, like those by the "Go-Gos" featured at the show.
With fees included, tickets are $35 for adults; $29, seniors and students; $24, military and children The Hylton Performing Arts Center, 10960 George Mason Circle, Manassas, VA 20110. Ticket office, ph. 703-993-7759.
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