Ensemble of 110 in the Shade at Ford’s Theatre. Photo: Carol Rosegg.
“Mustn’t love the kids too much/ They’re never really yours.”
Yes, 110 in the Shade is the kind of show where the Act 1 closer is “Old Maid,” a biting ballad from a young woman resigned to a life of misery because she will never snag a husband. Cue the eye rolling. But this show also has Tracy Lynn Olivera, who transforms that dated ballad (with the help of some terrific dramatic lighting) into something tense, dark, and powerful.
That type of contrast is a running theme throughout Ford’s Theatre’s production of this 1963 musical. The show is a chestnut, where women lovingly sing about feeding their men and doing the dishes (literally there’s a song called “The Hungry Men”). But Ford is determined to sell 110 in the Shade, and they’re selling it with style.
Photo: Carol Rosegg
The show has two driving plot points—the young woman Lizzie’s (Olivera) quest to find a husband, or at least some self confidence; and the arrival of Starbuck (Ben Crawford), a hustler who promises the town he’ll make rain to ease the drought plaguing the land (in exchange for $100, natch). The plots are predictable, but the show’s lovely melodies, finest performances, and sunny set all add up to something greater than the bones of the story.
Some of those charming performances include Christopher Bloch as H.C. Curry, Lizzie’s father, whose warm affection towards his daughter shines through even during the show’s more patronizing scenes. Stephen Gregory Smith makes for a great love-to-hate-him foil who tells his sister cutting, cruel “truths” because he believes that no one else “cares” enough to do so (everyone has come across some version of this guy before). As Sheriff File, one of Lizzie’s would-be suitors, Kevin McAllister’s gorgeous voice fills up the entire theater.
Some performances here are less subtle: it works in the case of Gregory Maheu, Lizzie’s bumbling, “aw-shucks” younger brother, who’s there for some welcome comic relief. But as Starbuck, Crawford’s broad, over-the-top, 50s rock star take on the rainmaker is a harder sell.
All in all, 110 in the Shade is a show that can be enjoyed for its merits, but it’s okay to let those eye rolls sneak out when they have to.
110 in the Shade runs through May 14 at Ford’s Theatre. Tickets are available online.
