Marriott Theatre show offers a second chance

Highly Recommended

Would you want to relive life from teenage years and maybe beyond?

Think about it while you watch Marriott Theatre’s premiere of “Always Something There,” a brand new jukebox musical from the pen of Sandy Rustin (The Cottage, Mystic Pizza).

Samantha Craig, played by indomitable stage veteran Heidi Kettenring, retires for the night at a hotel the day before her 45th birthday. The last thing she remembers is making a wish.

When she awakes in the morning it seems the wish has come true because Samantha, now portrayed by Christina Priestner, is 18 and back in her suburban Chicago high school surrounded by her senior class buddies. Of course her friends include the school’s male band members and audiences hear the sounds of 1980’s pop music.

The only things is this young Samantha still functions with her adult brain and background knowledge.

However, she will not follow her past. Knowing now what she really wants she can change her decisions.

Directed by James Vasquez with book by Sandy Rustin, orchestrations and arrangements by Geoffrey Ko directed by Ryan t. Nelson and really well choreographed by Tyler Hanes, this new musical has all the ingredients needed to become a welcome addition to the jukebox lexicon. It’s fun and has a delightful time-travel theme that can be enjoyed by all ages,.

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