Stellar cast, score make for delightful \'My One and Only\'

The wonderfully romantic, delightfully silly and exceptionally enjoyable musical “My One and Only” is playing at Tacoma Musical Playhouse through March 16. The show originally opened on Broadway in 1983, adapting some of George and Ira Gershwin’s greatest songs from previous shows into a fabulous and fluffy musical of the most fabulous and fluffy sort.

The hero, Billy Buck Chandler (Vince Wingerter), is an aviator who aspires to be the first pilot to fly to Paris. He falls in love with the heroine, Edythe Herbert (Jenny McMurry), a channel-swimming star. As life would have it, they each have someone trying to keep them apart: Billy’s Rosie-the-Riveter-style mechanic Mickey (Samantha Underwood), and the producer of the Aquacade that Edythe is the star of, Prince Niccolai (Andrew Fry). Hijinks ensue.

The plot seems to thrive on its own predictability, an important characteristic of the aforementioned fabulous and fluffy musicals. And making the audience think isn’t exactly something the musical strives for. But none of that matters. The score (including wonderful classics such as “I Can’t Be Bothered Now,” “He Loves and She Loves,” “’S Wonderful,” “Nice Work if You Can Get It” and “How Long Has This Been Going On?”) is uniquely strong in that nearly every number is memorable. What this particular production also has going for it is fantastic dancing and a cast in which there is no weak link.

The choreography (by Jon Douglas Rake and assistants Kate Kingery and Melissa Brown) is inventive, lively and a joy to watch. The ensemble is filled with excellent tap-dancers, all of whom stand out. The first and last numbers (“I Can’t Be Bothered Now” and “Kickin’ the Clouds Away,” respectively) are two of the best in the show due mostly to the excellent choreography and tapping.

Andrew Fry is hilarious as the villainous Prince Nicolai (his gleeful plotting and Russian accent were comic excellence), and Underwood’s tough Mickey is a great counterpart to him. Rake, a wonderful showman in addition to choreographer and director, appears as the experienced Mr. Magix, who gives Billy Buck a few tips on how to get the girl. He has two tap duets with Billy Buck, some of the best moments in the show. Mark Rake-Marona is appropriately and humorously sleazy as the Rev. J.D. Montgomery.

The trio of “New Rhythm Boys,” including Steven Barnett, John Huddleston, and Colin Madison, deserve special mention as well. The three men sing and harmonize beautifully, dance well and work together to give a great comic performance.

As Captain Billy Buck Chandler, Wingerter couldn’t be better. He has the whole package and more – a voice that is over-the-top wonderful (his Act 1 finale, “Strike up the Band” left me in utter awe), fantastic tap-dancing skills and a sweet charm about him that makes him entirely believable. McMurry as Edythe Herbert is terrific as well, and their duets (particularly their first tap duet, “He Loves and She Loves”) are nothing short of wonderful.

The 17-piece orchestra, directed by Jeffrey Stvrtecky, is incredibly impressive and the vast majority of the time doesn’t drown out the cast. Costume designer Joan Schlegel does a wonderful job with some beautiful and elaborate costumes (particularly those worn by the ensemble women.)

“My One and Only” simply shouldn’t be missed.

Performances run through March 16 at Tacoma Musical Playhouse. Shows are Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 2 p.m., and 2 p.m. March 8 and 15.Tickets are $23 for adults, $21 for students, seniors and military, and $16 for children 12 and under. Tickets are available at (253) 565-6857 or http://www.tmp.org.

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