City of Angels

City of Angels is a musical comedy with music by Cy Coleman, lyrics by David Zippel, and book by Larry Gelbart. The musical weaves together two plots, the "real" world of a writer trying to turn his book into a screenplay, and the "reel" world of the fictional film. The musical is an homage to the film noir genre of motion pictures that rose to prominence in the 1940s. Backed by the phenomenal big band arrangement (Musical Director, Geoff Secomb), creative cinematic pieces and strong performers in the lead and ensemble, this performance lives up to the difficult task.

The stage – especially the design – was utilised well with 3 sets intermittently changed on a revolving stage. Perched on top is a second tier, providing up to 4 different sets on the one stage. This show is a credit to the crew and Audio-Visual team who have a huge job and pull it off well. The scene changes were quick, the music accompanying it was perfection and then it’s backed up by the incredible cast.

This cast is something else: when you’ve got a performer with the calibre of Danika Saal – probably one of the strongest female Musical Theatre performers in Brisbane – in the relatively minor roles of Stine’s wife Gabby and Stone’s ex Bobbi, you know you’re on to something special. Clay English is great as the self-loathing Stine, bringing the true presence of a Broadway talent; Phillip Fitzjohn is so good as noble screw-up Stone that you wanna give him his own detective show. Even the small role of Lieutenant Munoz/Pancho Vargaz is delivered perfectly by Lachlan Clark – who’s own musical number in the jail block had the audience roaring with laughter.

But really, it’s an ensemble joint – Saal raises the roof with the couple of numbers she has, as do Della Day’s big-hearted losers Donna and Oolie. Ian Johnson (also the Lighting Designer) is hilarious as monstrous Hollywood producer Buddy Fiddler and Jeanne Marshall is super as smokin’ femme fatale Alaura. Toss in some great harmonies from vocal quartet Angel City Four, one helluva set design from the Director Steven Days, and projections to die for - you’ve got yourself a show sure to delight.

Mel Bobbermien