1 week Ago By Tony Wade
FAIRFIELD — Seconds after it started, Solano College Theatre’s latest production, “Head Over Heels,” made me smile as it immediately reminded me of a movie I love, “A Knight’s Tale.” That 2001 Heath Ledger vehicle featured the juxtaposition of a 14th century setting with 1970s-era rock music. “Head Over Heels” marries an adaptation of a story called “The Countess of Pembroke’s Arcadia” written in the 80s (the 1580s) with music from New Wave band The Go-Go’s from the 80s (the 1980s).
It opened at the Oregon Shakespeare festival in 2015 and on Broadway three years later. Let me start by saying that in the 1980s I was more in the Def Leppard camp, which was in a completely different forest than the Go-Go’s. Of course, I knew their hits that are featured in the musical like “We Got the Beat,” and “Our Lips Are Sealed” and the couple from the group’s lead singer Belinda Carlisle’s solo career (“Mad About You,” “Heaven is a Place on Earth”), but they were not my cup of tea.
That said, in the context of “Head Over Heels,” I loved them. The whole show was theatre at its best – a feast for the eyes, the ears, the mind and the soul. And it was hilarious.
Here is the frustrating part. As badly as I want to rave in detail about it, I steadfastly refuse to spoil a production for other theatregoers by revealing plot points or the story arc much less the wonderful surprises this show presents. Let’s just say that the characters in the show go on an actual journey as well as personal inward journeys to better know themselves.
I have known the fabulous force of frenetic creativity that is director Christine Mani for years now. Her talents on and offstage is the stuff of local legend. One thing I have never mentioned in a review is that if there was an Arty Award for Best Director’s Notes in A Program, she would win hands down.
Now I only read them after I have seen the show because I don’t want to know anything beforehand. Years ago I attended a Renaissance-themed Madrigal dinner and everyone had a small piece of wood next to their plates to knock on the table for applause. If I were to do that in appreciation for the efforts of the actors in “Head Over Heels” it would sound like a thunderous drum solo.
Some of the highlights included, but were not limited to: • Leilani Lobo as the queen of Arcadia, Gynecia, portrayed a royal bearing and brought it vocally on the duet “This Old Feeling.” • William Schmidt as Basilius had wonderful comedic timing and killed me with his gait that was Monty Python Ministry of Silly Walks-worthy. • Julianna Romualdi as haughty Pamela delivered on numerous tunes like “Beautiful” and the duet “Automatic Rainy Day.
” • Rebekah Peñaloza as Philoclea perfomed the most hauntingly divine vocal when she sang the lead on, what to me, was the most beautiful song in the show “Good Girl.” • Nile Ezekiel-Garcia as Musidorus offered up a performance that was a hysterical, heartfelt and honest portrayal of a shepherd chasing his heart's love and learning about himself along the way. • Angelito Guevarra flagged down some big laughs in his role as Dametas and Celeste Low as Mopsa brought it as a character that evolved throughout the show and discovered her true self.
• Juni Hernandez delivered a powerful portrayal of the nonbinary character Pythio that was gripping, comic and transformative. The numerous members of the ensemble lit up the stage collectively and were an absolute joy to behold. From the functional eye candy sets (Mitchell Ost), to the intricate costumes (Liesl Seitz-Buchbinder), to the crisp and clean choreography (Liz Andrews), to the precision orchestra (Bob Nadler on percussion, Isaac Carter and Taylor Hatch on guitar, Elaine Herrick on bass and Michael Reilly on piano), the whole production reflected a carefully crafted attention to detail.
I mean, even the design of the programs was awesome. I was made aware that some of the cast were very sick on the day I attended. That sucks, but to me that’s part of the beauty of theatre.
You have to adjust in the moment, live without a net. The four star system that the Daily Republic uses was never explained to me when I started reviewing shows in 2006 so I just made up my own metric. It is not about perfection, but whether an audience should go to see a show.
A 4 star show is one you must not miss and on down the line. “Head Over Heels” is a triumphant toe-tapping celebration of love, laughter and acceptance. How many stars? Here's a hint: you must not miss it.
Solano College Theatre presents “Head Over Heels” Friday, April 18 at 10:00 a.m. (student matinee), 7:30 p.
m. Saturday, April 19, 26 at 7:30 p.m.
Renaissance Faire 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.
m. Thursday, April 24 at 7:30 p.m.
Friday April 25 at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, April 27 at 2:00 p.
m. Solano College 4000 Suisun Valley Road, Fairfield Four stars out of four Fairfield freelance accidental local historian Tony Wade is also the author of The History Press books “Growing Up In Fairfield, California,” “Lost Restaurants of Fairfield, California,” “Armijo High School: Fairfield, California,” and "Growing Up In Vacaville." Reach Tony at toekneeweighed@gmail.
com ..
