The Waterfront Playhouse season opened last night with "Closer Than Ever," a cabaret-style musical revue. Produced by the Key WEst Players, the show runs through Jan. 8.
Melissa Goins Tausche, Eric Davis, Frances Edge and Jim Trainor sing their way through 23 original songs about parenthood, trophy wives, working moms, biological clocks and more.
Seasoned director Daniel Bonnett, whose credits include "Grease," "Nunsense," "42nd Street," and "Anything Goes," has staged the cast's exceptional singers. Their experiences range from opera to musical stage. Under the musical direction of Key West Pops Orchestra founder/conductor Vincent Zito who directed the "Closer than Ever" regional premiere in 1993, they meet the challenges of this piece with smooth, professional confidence.
Soprano Melissa Goins Tausche appeared recently in island productions of "Secrets Every Smart Traveller Should Know" and "La Cage aux Folles," as well as the Waterfront's "Pinch-Penny Phantom of the Opera." She sings with the Keys Chorale and studies voice with Emily Lowe.
She is joined by fellow Lowe student/chorale member Frances Edge, who is making her debut stage appearance in Key West. The mezzo-soprano recently sang in the Key West Theatre Festival's Cabaret Series.
Tenor Eric Davis, of the Waterfront's "Forever Plaid" and the Red Barn's "When Pigs Fly" fame, and baritone Jim Trainor comprise the male voices here. Davis has toured the US and Europe in musical and dramatic productions. Trainor, who is making his Key West stage debut, has sung roles with New York's Opera Excelsior and the Commonwealth Opera Co. in Mass.
The cast performs ensemble numbers as well as solos.
Performances are Tues. to Sat., Dec. 16 to Jan. 8. Curtain is at 8 p.m. Tickets are $20 and $25; call 294-5015 for resrvations. For season subscriptions, 296-8269.