"A crush can make anyone feel young again¦"
When I sat down at DCP Theatres production of 'The Last Romance' I was expecting to see a play. What I didnt expect was to be taken away from the theatre for two hours and deposited into a living, breathing world.
'The Last Romance' is a story about two characters hoping for a last chance at love.
One day, for no particular reason, Ralph decides to take a different path on his daily walk.
Relying on a renewed boyish charm, Ralph attempts to woo the elegant, but distant, Carol.
Defying both Carol's resistance and his lonely sister's jealousy, Ralph regains a happiness that seemed all but lost.
Through the story we receive a strong message that we all must appreciate our loved ones while we have them, and live each day as if there may not be a tomorrow.
This show, Mark Baliless directorial debut, was well paced, excellently acted, and lived up to its promise of delivering both laughter and tears.
The set is simple. The majority of the show takes place at a small dog park, so not much is needed to. That said, set designer Caris Baliles created a perfect environment for our actors to live in. Leaves littered the grass, creating the perfect look of Autumn in a park.
This is a truly ensemble show. Sure, there are leads, but each actor made me believe they were living their roles, not just reciting lines. Their interactions with one another were seamless and comfortable, drawing everyone into the story from the start.
The show is opened by the singing of David Williams as the Young Man. His Italian arias were inserted several times throughout the play, and each time was a delight. They added much to the show, creating the perfect mood for our characters and setting up a superb entrance for our male lead, Ralph Bellini (Bill Algeo.)
Algeos character is hilarious, charming, endearing, and genuine. His portrayal of Bellini was painfully believable and it was a delight to watch his character. It was easy to cheer for Ralph as he pursues the affection of Carol Reynolds, played by Linda Friday.
Fridays performance was perfectly enjoyable. Her timidity at the beginning of the show segued easily into the romance of the second half. She was convincing as she lamented things that happened in the recent past, making the audience empathize with her as she and Ralph became closer.
Jan Thompson delivers an impressive performance as Bellinis sister, Rose Tagliatelle. This was a difficult role to bring to life, but she commanded the stage from start to finish. Her characters roller coaster of emotions was heart breaking to watch, and wonderfully delivered.
What made this show stand out was the believability of the characters. From start to finish, every word they said felt completely real. I found myself completely engrossed in the story, cheering for happy endings for all of the characters. The acting was at times subtle, and at other times loud and heart wrenching.
The show has a bit of everything. A great deal of laughter, plus more than a few tears. The set, music, and performances tell a wonderful story. The actors were a true delight to watch, and I highly recommend this show to anyone who has been in love, wants to be in love, or just wants to enjoy a night out at the theatre.
'The Last Romance' runs January 31-Febuary 15. Call 215.234.0966 or visit www.dcptheatre.com for tickets or more information.