Ask me how to describe this whole beautiful thing? Well, if I were a bell I’d go ding, dong, ding, dong, diiing! And ring the bells they do, for that splashy, lush Frank Loesser musical, Guys & Dolls. Who’s ringing bells? Tidewater Players, that’s who. It’s a cute and campy way to close out their 2024/2025 mainstage season and it’s got a lot of adorable little moments and some stellar performances that are worth taking a gamble on seeing!
They’re gonna shake you! They’re gonna bake you! A donkey! Pot! Whoopsie. That’s the wrong iteration of that show…now let’s see here…I made the left onto Thomas Run Road…got turned around at Maleficent’s castle— oh! Oh there it is. Phoenix Festival Theatre! Hiding out at The Amoss Center with their production of Shrek the musical! (Which does not include “Donkey Pot Pie”, not even sure that song ever made it off Broadway!) Directed by Emily Jewett with Musical Direction by Mia Bray and Choreography by Samantha Jednorski,
They put a spell on you… wait— that’s not a stage musical (either). But these witchy cats could totally be a part of that stage show…when it becomes a stage show. You met Coricopat this morning…now it’s time to meet the other half of the Psychic Kitty Cat duo…
Thank you for joining us! Tell us who you are and who you play!
Lisa Rigsby Geiger: I’m Lisa and I am Tantomile.
I’m reviewing— the situation! Or as the case may be— the production! Of Oliver! at Tidewater Players this spring. And it is not your grandma’s Oliver! which is arguably one of the best things that can be said for a production of this show, as so many people write it off as either a children’s show or Annie with boys. This production is neither of those things and I’ll raise all the flagons of ale in the tavern in a grateful cheer to that!
The grass is green and dense! On the right side of the fence! And it’s a fine life! A fine life— to be doing Oliver! at Tidewater Players this spring. You’re always going to get the raw and nitty gritty of a dark show when it comes to one directed by Bambi Johnson and that’s what we’re here for! Sitting down with Ryan Geiger and Emily Jewett, playing Bill Sikes and Nancy, respectively,