SWEET CHARITY: A DELIGHTFUL ENCHANTING EXPERIENCE

Molly Bell (Charity) and cast sing- I'm a Brass Band.
Photo by Kevin Berne 

TALK ABOUT A DAZZLING DISPLAY OF PERFECT PERFORMANCES -- WELL, THIS MUSICAL AT THE LESHER THEATER IN WALNUT CREEK TAKES THE CAKE. EVEN BETTER THAN THE ORIGINAL BROADWAY MUSICAL 

This American musical takes us on a fabulous journey as we follow the somewhat nutty Charity Hope Valentine. She works as a taxi dancer along with her friends, Nickie and Helen. 

Charity longs for real love, but has bad luck with men. In one scene  Charity is robbed and pushed off a bridge by an ex-boyfriend. As if that isn't humiliating enough - she has an encounter with Vittorio Vidal - a movie star. 

Charity tries to find a new job but has little luck. She runs into Oscar Lindquist as they both wait for an Elevator. When they get into the Elevator -- it gets stuck. Yep, it doesn't move. Charity takes it blandly, but Oscar goes bi-polar. They talk, while being stuck in the Elevator -- but Charity doesn't tell Oscar that she is a dance hall girl. 

After a farewell party at a Ballroom, Charity and Oscar suddenly announce that he cannot go through with the wedding, saying he is unable to stop thinking that Charity has dated other men. 

THE ABSOLUTELY MESMERIZING ACTORS ARE: James Monroe Iglehart, Tielle Baker, Molly Bell, Ryan Cowles, Brittany Danielle, Amanda Denison, Alison Ewing, Nicole Helfer, Daniel Hurst, Calia Johnson, Garrick Macatangay, Justin Madfes, Keith Pinto, Katie Pogue, Colin Thomson and Catherine Williamson. 

Believe me this is "A Great Night At The Theater!" It's a breathtaking achievement. Period." 

The fantastic Art Direction is by Michael Butler. Timothy Near gives the stunning Direction.Great choreography is by Jennifer Perry, and the triumphant musical direction is by Sean Kana. 

You're gonna love this show. It's a must see! "Better than Broadway!"

RATING: FOUR GLASSES OF CHAMPAGNE!!!! (highest rating) -trademarked-

(((Lee Hartgrave has contributed many articles to the San Francisco Chronicle Sunday Datebook Section and he produced a long-running Arts Segment on PBS KQED)))