Dames at Sea May 2, 2008

Dames at Sea is a musical with book and lyrics by George Haimsohn and Robin Miller, music by Jim Wise. It's a spoof of large, flashy 1930s Busby Berkeley-style movie musicals in which an understudy steps into a role on Broadway and becomes a star. It originally starred newcomer Bernadette Peters. The joke is that, while spoofing the large, lavish movie musicals, Dames at Sea does it with a cast of six, 2 pianos and percussion, and a tiny stage.

The show features cabaret seating with full bar service and snacks. Turtle Lane features free parking, handicap access, and a live orchestra. The theatre is easily reached from 128/95, the Mass Pike, and Riverside station.

The plot: Early 1930s-a Broadway musical is in rehearsal. Mona Kent is its temperamental diva star, Joan a wise-cracking chorus girl, and Hennesy the producer/manager. Naive Ruby arrives from Utah, with "nothing but tap shoes in her suitcase and a prayer in her heart", determined to be a Broadway star. She promptly faints into the arms of Dick, a sailor & aspiring song writer ("It's You"). Ruby gets a job in the chorus, but Hennesy informs the cast that the theater must be torn down, and they must find another place for the show. Joan and Lucky, another sailor and her former boyfriend, renew their romance ("Choo-Choo Honeymoon") while Ruby admits her feelings for Dick ("The Sailor of My Dreams"). Dick and Lucky persuade their Captain to volunteer the use of their ship. When Mona kisses Dick, to persuade him to give her one of his songs, Ruby sees and is despondent ("Raining In My Heart"). Dick explains the misunderstanding and the couple make up. While rehearsing on the actual ship, Mona becomes seasick; Ruby steps in to save the show and becomes a star. The three couples decide to marry ("Let's Have A Simple Wedding"). The music is a mixture of parody, such as the torch song ""That Mister Man", pastische ("Raining in My Heart"), and the real thing.

$25-27.50, student, senior and group discounts available.

Official Website: http://www.turtlelane.org