Tell Me on a Sunday
Tell Me on a Sunday
By Andrew Lloyd Webber and Don Black
Directed by Laurel Clark
Musical Direction by Chris Leavy
Starring Sarah Lee Dobbs
Pink Venue
Orlando Fringe Festival
Loch Haven Park, Orlando, FL</strong>
Are today’s dreams any different than those of the 1980’s when Andrew Lloyd Webber penned this song cycle about romance that just can’t stay lit? Emma (Dobbs) is “The Girl,” she’s come to New York from England seeking love and green card. With her good looks and winning smile she has no trouble getting dates, it’s just that guys keep ditching her, the fools. Is getting a man all there is in her life? Maybe, but it feel so old fashion.
What’s not old fashioned is the music and her voice. Webber refers to this as a “Song Cycle”; more than a cabaret and less than an opera it’s a linear story with beginning, a multiple middles and an open ended end. Dobbs has a costume change nearly every song; they range from summery dresses to flattering bathing suits to the most amazing Union Jack onesie. Do all ex-patriates were flag themed clothing to bed? Of course, we are here for the music and the Winter Park Playhouse house band (Leavy, Wilkinson and Forrest) is on stage. The only thing missing is the in-house bar. The lyrics are quite balanced and while all the songs are distinct there’s not a single Big Hit here. I suspect that’s why this show isn’t performed very often. Title “Tell Me on a Sunday” is a great break up song, “Have a Nice Day” the potential pop hit, and “Dreams Never Run on Time” is superb punch out number. Surprisingly sad, this is a touching view of a woman scorned and then scorned again. At least she gets her Green Card.
This show was part of the 2015 Orlando Fringe Festival. Information on tickets and times may be found at www.OrlandoFringe.org.
