Born to Entertain

Ruthless!

Sweet, precocious little Tina Denmark is an accomplished and talented young lady…very young, in fact, and very talented. Tina’s only eight years old and already the tiny tyke knows she’s destined to become a Broadway star. In fact, teensy-weensy Tina Denmark was literally “Born to Entertain,” a song the little lady belts out within the first few minutes of the show. Then we learn that Tina’s meteoric rise to fame could begin very soon because her third grade teacher, Miss Thorn, is about to cast the elementary school musical, PIPPI IN TAHITI.

Tina is, of course, the obvious choice to play the title role. But the parents of untalented fellow student, Louise Lerman, are generously contributing the sets and costumes for the production. So, despite delivering a killer audition, Miss Thorn casts Tina as Pippi’s dog—a mime role. The teacher announces that Louise Lerman will trip over her two left feet to play Pippi. But unexpectedly, a bombastic and overbearing theatrical agent named Sylvia St. Croix shows up at the Denmark’s door. She recognizes Tina’s unstoppable “Talent,” as she sings to Judy Denmark, the little girl’s happy homemaker mother. So when Tina is passed over to play the leading role, Sylvia St. Croix suggests that Tina should at least be the leading lady’s understudy. You know, just in case something awful should happen to Louise…

RUTHLESS! is a cult musical that premiered Off-Broadway almost 35 years ago. Written by Joel Paley, with music and additional lyrics by Marvin Laird, the show cleverly parodies the Broadway musical, while into the plot it incorporates some familiar tropes from shows like “The Bad Seed,” “All About Eve” and “Gypsy.” The campy musical continues to pop up everywhere, in both professional and amateur productions. It’s even crossed the pond in an award-winning London production. Directed and choreographed with festive flash and flair by Christina Ramirez, this production marks her auspicious Citadel debut. And Ms. Ramirez doesn’t hesitate to pull out all the stops, because, as Tina sings, they were both “Born to Entertain.”

At the Sunday matinee that I attended, the diminutive, multitalented and perfectly-cast Catharina Araujo portrayed Tina Denmark. Despite the young actress’s biography saying that the “passionate performer and dancer” is in the fifth grade, she looks like a little third-grader. And Ms. Araujo is simply fantastic in this demanding role, although she’s appeared in ANNIE at Music Theater Works, as well as in MATILDA and INTO THE WOODS with the Actors Training Center. This young actress is most definitely someone to watch. It should be noted that young Olivia Mulder also portrays Tina at certain performances.

Every single gifted actor is in this production is a star. Lovely Annie Beaubien (THE DROWSY CHAPERONE, Surging Films & Theatric; THE WIZARD OF OZ, Alphabet Soup) returns to Citadel Theatre to brilliantly portray the leading role of Judy Denmark, otherwise known in song as “Tina’s Mother.” Then, by the second act, Judy Denmark has morphed into Broadway star, Ginger Del Marco. Ms. Beaubien is not only a terrifically talented singer, with an unlimited vocal range, she truly understands how to play this style of comedy. Fully inhabiting the role, Annie journeys from mousey housewife and devoted mother to an over-the-top Broadway diva. All in all, Ms. Beaubien is quite simply terrific.

Matching Catharina and Annie, Citadel is very fortunate to have the gifted Bob Bullen (A CHRISTMAS STORY, The Drama Group; SWEENEY TODD, North Riverside Players) in the role of Sylvia St. Croix. As RuPaul says, “We’re all born naked and the rest is drag.” And that’s certainly true of this talented actor who, in a wig, heels and fetching frocks, masterfully portrays this equally demanding role to the max. Mr. Bullen carries himself proudly, like a queen, displaying an aloof, almost royal dignity that demands respect and obedience from every other character. Between Bob’s velvety rich baritone vocals, and his condescending side glances and scathing stink eye at all who challenge Sylvia’s authority, Bob Bullen serves up the perfect Sylvia St. Croix. Can I get an amen?

Completing the cast, and just as magnificent as the three leading actors, are a trio of terrifically talented actresses who bring down the house with every entrance. Samantha Mayer (RENT, Highland Park Players; FOOTLOOSE, Big Noise Theater), making her Citadel debut, is properly arrogant and aggrandizing as third grade teacher, and playwright wannabe, Miss Thorn. After starring in DAMES AT SEA, the gifted Melody Rowland returns to Citadel in the dual role of young, untalented Thespian, Louise Lerman, and, in Act II, Ginger’s faithful assistant and Broadway hopeful, Eve (as in “All About Eve”). Ms. Rowland is stupendous in both roles, with the voice and grace of a superstar. Melody has also been enjoyed in A CHORUS LINE, at Drury Lane, and SWEET CHARITY with Blank Theatre Company. And last, but definitely not least, is the marvelous and brilliant Jenny Rudnick, fresh off her success as the ditzy Mrs. Tottendale in Theo Ubique’s THE DROWSY CHAPERONE. Seeming to always be working, Ms. Rudnick has been enjoyed in so many Chicagoland productions, such as Music Theater Works’ CAROUSEL, at Metropolis in THE ADDAMS FAMILY and in Highland Park Players’ BILLY ELLIOT. As Lita Encore, Judy Denmark’s adopted mother and Tina’s grandmama, Ms. Rudnick plays an outspoken theatre critic who, as she hilariously belts out, “I Hate Musicals!”

Creative Bob Knuth returns once again to design a set that transforms the stage from the Denmark family’s modest apartment to Ginger’s palatial Broadway flat in New York City. Costume designer Taylor Pfenning has created a lovely wardrobe for her cast. This includes Sylvia’s tailored and starkly severe tailored suits, a la Vera Charles from AUNTIE MAME; and Ginger Del Marco’s flamboyant and flowing loungewear. Tina’s Act II little orange dress is subtle, but very funny, as is Louse’s bizarre costume for Pippi.

Citadel Theatre has definitely done it again with this hilarious spoof of the Broadway musical genre. In addition to the sparkling direction and choreography by Christina Ramirez, and a truly fantastic cast of triple threats, Citadel’s stellar production of RUTHLESS is filled with “Talent.” The production features strong musical direction by Aaron Zimmerman (who also accompanies the production on keyboard). And most definitely, every single actor in this production was “Born to Entertain.”

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented April 15-May 17 by Citadel Theatre Company, 300 S. Waukegan Rd., Lake Forest, IL.

Tickets are available in person at the box office, by calling 847-735-8554, x1, or by going to www.citadeltheatre.org.

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com.