Theater review: 'Man of La Mancha' at the Carpenter Arts Center

The melding of darkness and bravura in "Man of La Mancha" at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center isn't revolutionary, but it's certainly resonant. Dale Wasserman, Mitch Leigh and Joe Darion's beloved Tony winner about the author of "Don Quixote" receives an engrossing Musical Theatre West revival, with director Nick DeGruccio's able cast spearheaded by the incandescent Davis Gaines and Lesli Margherita.

Popular opinion mistakes "La Mancha" for a musical about Don Quixote, but Wasserman's libretto explores how idealism survives totalitarian oppression, personified in hero Miguel de Cervantes (Gaines). Set in a grim Seville prison during the Spanish Inquisition -- strikingly designed by Kevin Clowes -- the concept deposits Cervantes and his manservant (Justin Robertson) into a den of lowlifes while awaiting trial.

The kangaroo court that ensues nearly ends "La Mancha" before it starts, with Cervantes' manuscript about an addled knight-errant almost burned by his fellow inmates. Until Cervantes proposes that he enact his "defense" by dramatizing his literary creation, pulling the prisoners into his charade. As musical director Matthew Smedal's orchestra begins the title number's driving vamp, Gaines slaps on old-age makeup, joins Robertson atop the revolving center turntable behind two horse-masked dancers, and onward to glory we go.

Years since his record-breaking turn as the Phantom of the Opera, Gaines' vocal instrument remains in thrilling estate, and his handling of the dramatic content is remarkable, particularly the eye-moistening monologue preceding his galvanic "Impossible Dream."

Theater review: 'Winter Wonderettes' at the Carpenter Center

Just in time to offset low temperatures, "Winter Wonderettes" warms up the Carpenter Center with festive aplomb. Roger Bean's seasonal sequel to "The Marvelous Wonderettes" merrily rings its bells as a Musical Theatre West presentation.

First seen at the El Portal Forum in 2007, "Winter" transpires in archetypal Springfield, USA, circa 1968, where the title nightingales are the entertainment at Harper's Hardware Holiday Happening (impressively realized by designer Kevin Clowes' set and Jean-Yves Tessier's lighting).

Harper's employee Betty Jean (Julie Dixon Jackson) oversees things while concealing personal troubles. Usual ringleader Missy (Misty Cotton), giddy from her recent marriage, is almost able to relinquish control -- almost. Endearingly dizzy Suzy (Bets Malone), pregnant again, valiantly adheres to the program, while man trap Cindy Lou (Lowe Taylor) insinuatingly poses and posits blunt truths, usually at once.

Creator-director Bean's tinsel-slender premise pulls novelty holiday standards and audience participation toward a delicious twist as Act 1 ends. However, the key, as always, is the cast, an enchanting triple-threat foursome, their harmonies soaring under Daniel Thomas' musical direction. Jackson's bravura attack and nuclear belt are at peak form. Cotton's comic and vocal range continues to astonish. Malone retains a priceless zest, her "Suzy Snowflake" turn worth admission, and the wonderful Taylor finds the humanity within the siren, stilling the house at "All Those Christmas Clichés."

Theater review: 'The Wedding Singer' at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center

The '80s return in all their rad, gnarly 'tude to the Carpenter Performing Arts Center, where "The Wedding Singer" enjoys a pleasantly pro-forma regional premiere by Musical Theatre West.

As in the smash 1998 Adam Sandler/Drew Barrymore film, the title hero is Robbie Hart (energetic Ciarán McCarthy), his New Jersey band opening with "It's Your Wedding Day." This surefire barnburner proclaims the show's aims, its high-octane corps vaulting through choreographer Spencer Liff's retro moves like Billy Idol and the Go-Gos on Ecstasy.

With the introduction of waitress Julia (lovely-voiced Renée Brna), things grow gradually synthetic. Composer Matthew Sklar and librettists Chad Beguelin and Tim Herlihy (author of the screenplay) exhibit competent craft, the nods ranging from Michael Jackson's glove to the water-splashed "Flashdance" iconography. Yet marrying period riffs to movie scenario doesn't guarantee emotional connection, or theatrical purpose.

Robbie and Julia's Act 2 duet, "If I Told You," is first-rate, and there are other noteworthy numbers under David Lamoureux's music direction. But their net effect isn't terribly original, with many bits lacking a proper button.

Director Larry Raben's staging could be tighter at times, nevertheless it's sleekly appointed, particularly Jean-Yves Tessier's club-worthy lighting, and the charming McCarthy and Brna head up a talented cast. Derek Keeling digs into Julia's smarmy fiancé; Jenna Coker-Jones' fellow waitress and Nick Bernardi and Matthew J. Vargo's band colleagues ham with abandon.

The statuesque Kelli Provart incinerates the house as Robbie's ex, versatile Tracy Lore instantly becomes various moms, and wonderful Mary Jo Catlett invests Robbie's hip grandmother with old-school aplomb. "Wedding Singer" is hardly a classic tuner, but the film's fans and era survivors should find it festive.

-- David C. Nichols

"The Wedding Singer," Carpenter Performing Arts Center, 6200 E. Atherton St., Long Beach. 8 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays; 7 p.m. show, July 17. Ends July 24. $30-$80. (562) 856-1999, x4 or www.musical.org. Running time: 2 hours, 30 minutes.

Photo: Ciarán McCarthy and Renée Brna. Credit: Alysa Brennan.