There is plenty of heat in 110 in the Shade at Prince William Little Theatre. 110 in the Shade is adapted from N. Richard Nash’s book The Rainmaker. It depicts love, hope, and redemption in a small southwestern town during the Great Depression. It garnered four Tony awards in 1964, including Best Composer and Lyricist. This musical received a Tony nomination in 2007 for Best Revival of a Musical. The music is by Harvey Schmidt and the lyrics by Tom Jones.
Prince William Little Theatre does an excellent job of staging a drought-stricken town in Three Point, Texas, in 1938. Kudos to Scenic Designer David Ritchey for this wonderful creation, along with Lighting Designer Dariyn Fergus. Let us take a moment to congratulate the musical direction of George Fulda. The orchestra was seated stage right, dressed in period costumes, and I loved it!
Lizzie’s return to the family ranch of widower H.C. Curry, nicely played by John Totten, shakes up the family as they try to find her a husband. Jimmy Curry (Alex Fulda) and Snookie Updegraff (Savannah Lagana) give us some comic relief. These two characters enjoy a lot of playful and flirtatious banter and have a cute duet, “Little Red Hat.”
This production has some strong singers that bring this musical to life. Lizzie Curry, played by Emily Burnworth (after a ten-year absence from the stage!), shines on numbers such as “Simple Little Things” and “Is it Really Me?” Her duets with her potential love interests, Starbuck the rainmaker (Chris Anderson) and File the sheriff (Dave Zeoli, who has never done a musical!), are especially noteworthy. All three of these characters give convincing musical performances. The idea of being a female during the 1930s, and what age is considered an “old maid” before your time, is explored. Also, the perception of beauty as in the eye of the beholder is bluntly expressed by Noah (Adam Weidner). Lizzie and Starbuck duet on “Is it Really Me” with a tenderness and vulnerability that displays a transformation in Lizzie.
Costume Designers Riley Leonhardt and Susy Moorstein brought the Townspeople to life with their costumes. Their stage time is filled with nice harmonies and crowd interaction. This production is filled with families and families that are cast together. The small-town life of Three Point, Texas, comes alive with the set designs, lighting, and choreography. Will the town of Three Point, Texas, get the much-needed rain they are seeking? Will Lizzie find her true worth? Will Starbuck or File steal her heart? Please see 110 in the Shade to find the answers to these questions. There are fans on the display table outside the theater. Pick one up on your way into the theater to help cool you off while experiencing 110 in the Shade.
Running time: Approximately two hours with a 15-minute intermission.
110 in the Shade plays through on July 14, 2024, presented by Prince William Little Theatre performing at the Gregory Family Theater in the Hylton Performing Arts Center, 10960 George Mason Circle, Manassas, VA. Tickets ($30 adult; $25 senior, student, and military; $20 children 12 and under) are available online or through the Hylton Center box office at 703-993-7759, Tuesday to Saturday, 10 am to 6 pm.
110 in the Shade
Co-Directors, Don Petersen and Susy Moorstein
Co-Producers, Samantha Fulda and Susy Moorstein
Musical Director, George Fulda
Stage Manager, Samantha Fulda