"Head Over Heels," the spring musical streamed live by Northampton Community College Theatre Department is an unabashed giddy joy.
The quirky jukebox musical mashes together seemingly incongruous elements in an unexpected and surprisingly successful way. Who would think a 16th century prose poem, the 1980s pop rock of the Go Gos and an of-the-moment focus on gender fluidity would come together so well' Throw in some very colorful steampunk costumes, driving electric guitars and you have all the makings of a playful and thoroughly entertaining show.
It is also telling that a musical showcasing the songs of one of most successful female bands of all time anchors a story that features women being true to their own nature in both sexual orientation and gender identity. Not to mention that in one of the cisgender relationships, a young man cross dresses to get the girl and attracts attention from all orientations.
Its a lot to pack in to a frothy confection of a show, but director Bill Mutimer gives NCCs production an appealingly light and playful touch.
The cast ably holds all the diverse parts, from songs to romantic entanglements of every ilk, together with campy glee and tongue planted firmly in cheek.
The feather light story, based on English poet Sir Philip Sidneys "The Arcadia," follows the royal family of stodgy King Basilius, whose rule is threatened by the Oracle of Delphi who makes four prophecies that if fulfilled, will result in the loss of Arcadias "beat," the power that ensures the kingdoms prosperity.
He leads the entire court into the woods to escape the prophecies which mainly focus on the love lives of his family.
Steven Fuquays Basilius is pompous and overbearing while his bored queen Gynecia is played with snarky frustration by Hannah Cummings.
A highlight is the tryst in a dark cave between the royal couple in which they sing "Heaven is a Place on Earth." Both think they are with someone else as they are humorously and risquely illuminated behind a sheet.
Katelyn Morgan is deliciously over-the-top as the haughty princess Pamela, who finds happiness in the arms of her handmaid Mopsa. She is especially powerful in "Beautiful." Sieanna Rahatt is stalwart and yearning as the faithful Mopsa.
Samantha Prentice is touching but determined as the "plain" princess Philoclea who achingly sings "Good Girl" while denying her love of the shepherd Musidorus.
Max Wetherhold conveys a fresh-faced naivete as Musidora and is appealingly gawky as he dons a dress to sneak in to see Philoclea, attractings romantic advances from all sides.
Carter Reichard conveys a confident self-awareness as the binary Oracle Pythio who explains they/them pronouns to estranged mate Dametas, played frantically by Brandon Costanzo.
The energetic and colorfully clad cast fills the stage in enthusiastic production numbers like "We Got the Beat," "Vacation" and "Head Over Heels." The ensemble includes Griffin Boyle, Olivia Byrne, Tamara Decker, Rebecca Docteroff, August Gaumer, Kevin Hernandez, Amelia Illingworth, Cam Kunsman, Marcell Mckenzie, Maggie Toner, Milaijah Torres and Elijah Vazquez.
The band led by Lucille Kincaid adds to the energy keeping the "beat" flowing on all the fun and familiar songs like "Mad About You," "Our Lips Are Sealed" and "Cool Jerk."