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Arts in Review

Babies, Babies, Babies

SOLANA BEACH, Calif.—Baby is a musical about…well… babies; how to get them; what to do
while waiting for them; what to do if it doesn’t work, and how to behave when the news is
positive. And, if you are in that could be gestation mode, that’s great. Yours truly just clicked on
“How to handle those Hot Flashes ….New Menopause Survival Tools” headlining my AOL News
Feature. That’s where I am!

Don’t be misled. I’ve done the baby thing five times, three of mine and two grandsons, and in
retrospect, there were parts about it that were funny. It wasn’t then and it probably isn’t now if
you are in the middle of it so I guess that’s why two guys, Richard Maltby, Jr. who wrote the
lyrics and David Shire who wrote the music along with Sybille Pearson  (the only one who really
knows) who penned the book, wanted to give those unsuspecting, prospective parents who
weren’t as worldly, a ‘heads up’ or ‘heads out’ or whatever.

Baby opened on Broadway in 1983 at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre. It ran for 241 performances
and was nominated for seven Tony Awards. Unfortunately it was up against some pretty tough
competition: La Cage aux Folles; Sunday in the Park With George, and The Tap Dance Kid.
And…….the winner was…La Cage which walked away with six Tony’s. But for a revival in
2004 where Pearson revised and updated Baby, we might not be seeing it today.

Director Paula Kalustian, who heads up the MFA Musical Theatre program at San Diego State
University, and who along with Jill Masaros co- produced (Miracle Theatre Productions years)
shows at The Theatre in Old Town for 14 years, until this year has directed Baby no less than
four times. She obviously has an affinity for it. So now, it is in its current state at The North Coast
Repertory Theatre in Solana Beach where Artistic Director David Ellenstein gave her the nod to
do what she loves doing best.

If there is a plot, well, there really isn’t. It’s more of a time line following three couples through
the beginnings, the middles and the ends of approaching parenthood. In one case; a false start.
One might call this little ditty a musical play. Every situation has a matching song. There isn’t a
lot to write home about or hum on the way home, but it’s not unpleasant, either.

It’s easy, pleasing to the eye and somewhat of a no brainer. With minimalist sets (Marty Burnett
was still able to be creative with his primary colored wooden shapes and building blocks which
were easily moved around and of course the bed in the center of the stage.), and Ali Bretches,
the company who either supplied the clothes, designed them, (I doubt) or suggested them, the
show has a casual look. Jeans, tennies and workout suits with a few conventional skirts, blouses
and trousers are the style of the day. The cast, with few costume changes needed, is nimble and
gifted.

The music performed by Danny King on percussion and Andy Ingersoll on piano and musical
direction might have sounded better had I not been sitting right in front of one of the speakers
which were  literally less than two feet from my space and ears. That’s the luck of the draw.

The best part, the redeeming part of the show and production (and we saved it for last) is the
versatile and talented cast of eight; three couples whose lives are in the balance because of either
unplanned pregnancies or  unwanted ones, or nuttin’ happen’ here, and a fourth couple who is
everyone else or the ensemble.

Nick and Rebecca Spears, the couple whose false start
set them on the path to planned conjugal experiments,
carried the comedy workload, and they do it well. Both
were students under Kalustian at SDSU and both are
talented singers and actors. Rebecca’s funny little
twitches and turned up smile seem to be her trademark.
They were relaxed and looked like they were having
fun. As a real life couple, one can imagine this is a
dream come true. Steve Gunderson and Susan Jordan
are the more mature couple with grown children who
are about ready to settle for the ‘empty nest’ when lo
Nick and Rebecca Spears

and behold, on an anniversary vacation…. Now they struggle about whether to carry the baby
and start all over again. Gunderson, who is an all time San Diego favorite having stacked more
stage time to his credits than the total of all the others, is perfect for the part of the more mature,
more serious and more determined Alan. Jordan, as Arlene, is just right as his counterpart. Her
voice is soothing and her acting smooth and convincing.

Ashley Linton (Lizzy) and Jason Maddy (Danny) are the college students whose lives will be
forever changed by her pregnancy. Both of these young folks are a welcome treat to San Diego
audiences. Maddy was last seen in The Welk’s Fiddler as Perchick. Charming, spirited and gifted,
both, theirs was the most interesting relationship to watch. The fact that they each have a fine set
of vocal chords, endless energy and good looks helps. Paul Morgavo and Lindsay Gearhart prove
to be talented in their own right as the ensemble.

Baby is the 6th production of the theatre’s 25th season. According to Artistic director David
Ellenstein, the theatre is in‘great shape’. We wish them well on their future plans for expansion.

POSTSCRIPT:

David Shire met Richard Maltby, Jr. while both were attending Yale. They wrote two musicals
Cyrano and Grand Tour which were both produced by the Yale Dramat. He also co founded a
jazz group at school, The Shire-Fogg Quintet and was a Phi Beta Kappa honors student, with a
double major in English and Music.

At graduate school at Brandeis University he was the first Eddie Fisher Fellow. Shire is married to
Didi Conn (Edith Bernstein) whose brother Richard Bernstein was the featured tenor recently
seen and heard in the San Diego Opera’s production of The Marriage of Figaro .

Baby will play through June 24. For more information on Baby, the theatre can be reached by
calling (858) 481-1055 or logging on to www.northcoastrep.org

See you at the theatre.