A Once in a Lifetime Opportunity
Always Something There…A New (80’s) Musical
After Samantha Craig, an attractive middle-aged woman, checks into her hotel room, she sprawls out on her bed with an assortment of minibar libations and a birthday muffin. Clearly not in a happy place she makes a wish, blows out her candle and passes out. When she awakens Samantha’s wish has remarkably come true. She’s left her sad, disappointing life behind and returned to the past to celebrate her eighteenth birthday with her high school friends. But Sam is determined that this journey back to the 1980’s will offer her a fantasy come true, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for a do-over in her life.
For Playwright Sandy Rustin (THE COTTAGE, CLUE), who grew up in Chicagoland, the Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire was her Broadway. Inspired by shows like MY FAIR LADY and THE KING AND I, she dreamed of one day becoming a part of the professional theatre scene. Ms. Rustin’s new musical, having its World Premiere in Lincolnshire, is a theatrical love letter to the stories and music of the playwright’s youth. Director James Vasquez (IN THE HEIGHTS, DAMN YANKEES) returns to the Marriott for his third artistic venture. As a child of the 80’s, Vasquez really understands this era of MTV and the popularization of music videos. He does a good job guiding this humorous, heartwarming story of friendship, self-discovery and second chances.
Being an unabashed jukebox musical, Sandy Rustin’s show features no less than 20 hit songs from the 1980’s. They include such familiar pulsating tunes as “We Got the Beat,” “Only in My Dreams,” The Loco-Motion,” “Whip It,” “The Search is Over,” “Together Forever,” “Karma Chameleon,” “Borderline,” “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” and the titular “There’s Always Something There to Remind Me.”
There are three things that make the songs extra special. First is Marriott’s always spot-on Musical Direction by Ryan T. Nelson. Everything he touches turns to gold, and this show is no exception. The second is some of the most creative, highly-energetic Choreography by Tyler Hanes that makes the score even more visually exciting. The third is Conductor Celia Villacres’ brilliant six-member pit band who accompany a phenomenally talented ensemble of young triple-threats.
The cast is led by one of Chicago’s most talented and best-loved performers, Heidi Kettenring, as Adult Samantha, and talented newcomer to the Marriott and making her professional debut, Christina Priestner, as Teen Samantha. Other standouts include Ian Coursey (First National Tour of DEAR EVAN HANSEN) as Sam’s heartthrob and the lead of the Rubber Band, Cooper Roy; Genevieve Corkery, in her terrific Marriott debut as Goth band singer, Debbie Waller; Ty Shay (THE MAGIC SCHOOL BUS) as Samantha’s antagonistic, scumbag womanizing boyfriend, Johnny Stevens; the terrifically multitalented Matthew Hommel (TITANIC, 1776) as nerdy friend, Winston; Anna Louise Bramlett (swing for TITANIC and BEAUTIFUL at Marriott) as brainy gal pal Ella; Tiyanna Gentry (BEEHIVE, BEAUTIFUL) as fashion-conscious girlfriend Scarlet; Logan Becker (THE MUSIC MAN) as Johnny’s hilarious sidekick, Gavin; and, at least for opening night, the excellent Emma Ogea (CATS, WAITRESS at Paramount) as Sam’s best homegirl, Camilia.
Sandy Rustin’s new musical is an enjoyable fairy tale. It’s a story that centers around our belief in forgiveness, redemption, the power of the human spirit and the universal desire to start afresh with renewed vigor. We’ve seen shows like this before, so it’s not a new idea. Shows like CAROUSEL, THE SOUND OF MUSIC, BACK TO THE FUTURE, FREAKY FRIDAY, BRIGHT STAR, ALLEGIANCE, and even a musically actually entitled SECOND CHANCE, all revolve around a character trying to begin again. Ms. Rustin’s book needs a little clarification and some of the songs, while wonderful to hear again, don’t exactly tie into the plot. It’s an entertaining premise but the songs don’t always feel organic to the storyline.
The technical support matches the incredible energy and talent that bubbles onto the Marriott stage and into the audience. While sometimes the stage feels cluttered with Collette Pollard’s Scenic Design, consisting of several see-through mobile school lockers and desks, it’s an inspired concept. Jesse Klug’s brilliant, almost blinding Lighting Design, Amanda Vander Byl’s superb colorful 80’s Costume Designs, coupled with Miguel A. Armstrong’s often humorous Wig, Hair & Makeup Design, make this show period perfect.
ALWAYS SOMETHING THERE… boasts a talented, tireless cast of professionals who bring laughs and a little bit of longing as we travel down memory lane. The show is a perky and playful collection of 1980’s nostalgia. It’s a blast from the past with a story that offers toe-tapping tunes and a lot of heart about a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. In a Summer when lately optimism feels like a thing of the past, James Vasquez’s production is a delightful escapist way to spend a couple of carefree hours in Chicagoland.
