I TAKE THIS MAN @ THE BROADWAY THEATRE

"I Take This Man": A Novel Idea For Ladies Everywhere, An Entertaining Time Onstage
Words by Kristen Fogle

Light and funny, but with an ending that provides a satisfying twist, "I Take This Man," by Jack Sharkey, is the newest production at Vista's Broadway Theatre.

"I Take This Man" is a modern comedy set in Boston, while the Boston Marathon is in full swing. The play opens on Giddy Hollis' apartment where Giddy, an art curator, has convinced officer Judd Keegan to bring her unconscious "husband" back to their apartment. In reality, the man is nothing of the sort; instead she found him, stripped of his clothes and wallet, just short of the finish line (prompting Giddy to believe that the old adage 'nice guys finish last' may in fact have come to fruition). Giddy sees this as the perfect chance to aqcuire the man of her dreams...whom she has named Antonio. But not only does she have to convince Antonio of their relationship, but Judd and roommate Charlene's fiancé, Dexter.

And this is merely the first act. By the second, Antonio awakens and realizes who he really is...namely not Giddys husband. However, before letting on, he decides to play with her a bit. And then...well, you're going to have to purchase a ticket for that.

Starring Virginia Gregg as Giddy Hollis, this spunky little actress bounds around the stage enacting her romantic plot with gusto. Timothy Benson, as Antonio, (in addition to providing eye candy for the senior lady patrons of the Broadway who love him) is very natural up there; Benson and Gregg have a good chemistry and are a well matched pair. Elise Harvey and Jacob Silva (as Charlene Lockwood and Dexter Clayton...who came up with these names?) provide snide and snarky reactions to all of Giddy's assenine attempts and are good fun to watch. And crowds adore Broadway co-owner Douglas Davis who plays Jud Keegan. (You may have just seen Davis as the timid but hilarious accountant turned producer at the Welk Resort in--you guessed it--"The Producers.")

After the last show I saw in this space, I'm continually impressed with how much more incredible the sets have become over the years. For "I Take This Man" the space figures into the action, but it could have been sparse and underwhelming and the play would have worked just fine. Instead, with set construction by Davis and set concept/decoration by Randall Hickman, (also the director, costume coordinator, lighting and sound designer...and more!) the stage was transformed into a cozy, warm apartment (adorned with many a palm tree decorative item) that really impressed.

The Broadway continues to enchant me this season. After this run, "Trying" is next, which is author Joanna McClelland Glass' account of working for Judge Francis Biddle, Attorney General under Franklin Roosevelt. The New York Times called it "gripping," and frankly, we can't wait to go. It all starts May 11.

"I Take This Man"
3/30-4/22
Broadway Theatre
340 East Broadway
Vista, CA 92084
760-806-7905
www.broadwayvista.com

For the original article, please go to http://www.sdtheatrereviews.com/arts.php?newsId=255