It Girl Preview

“The It Girl”, the rip-roaring adventure from the 1920’s about the search for the girl that has “it,” is a delightful feel-good show about love, luck, and getting exactly what you want. Directed by Dr. Kathleen Arecchi, the show will be performed in the studio theatre from November 18-21. All shows start at 8pm with two matinee performances Saturday at 2 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. The show stars Allyson Smith as Betty Lou Spence, aka “The It Girl.” Smith lights up the stage with her presence and the humor revealed through her character. “They say that the “it” girl is a rather naughty quality that merges a hint of sex with a whiff of intelligence,” so reads a line from the script. Smith flawlessly adapts all the qualities of the “it” girl, blending the perfect mix of brazenness and brains. She is a shop girl at Waltham’s Department Store, recently taken over by Mr. Waltham’s son, Jonathan Waltham, played by Matthew Posner. Posner is very comfortable in his role as an executive, but once he and Smith meet at dinner and he becomes enthralled by her. He makes an easy transition from the concerned, overworked head of the store to a fun-loving gentleman, though still very much in tune with what his society friends would find appropriate. Two gentlemen, Monty Montgomery, played by Christopher Lukos, and Mr. Notting, played by Rod Davidson III, counsel Waltham throughout the show. Montgomery is a charming and humorous character that first introduces the idea of finding an “It Girl” as part of Waltham’s stores new advertising campaign, and is also ultimately responsible for Waltham and Spence meeting. Mr. Notting is the store manager of Waltham’s and a confidant of Jonathan, giving him advice and ideas as the show progresses. Spence’s competition for Waltham’s heart lies in a character by the name of Adela, a conniving woman convinced that one day she will land her man. Natalie Shaw captures the overly dramatic and desperate measures of Adela and plays the character expertly. Natalie Roy and Katie Rondeau, who also play several other roles in the show, are first introduced as Spence’s two co-workers at Waltham’s, Jane and Daisy. Roy also takes on the character of an older neighbor who leads to much havoc in Spence’s life, as well as the bitter mother of Adela. She makes the changes between the three characters with ease, and brings each character to life in their own special way that one would find it hard to believe the same person plays them all. Rondeau adopts the role of Spence’s roommate, Molly, a widowed mother of an infant child. Molly is a sweet and innocent woman, which Rondeau captures perfectly. She is looked down upon by many because of her lack of a husband, but she holds her head high and begins each day with the hope and courage that things will someday be different. The songs and music in the show exemplify the roaring ’20s, and the dancing and singing makes the show superb. The energy that is constantly flowing out of this small cast of only seven makes it seems at times that there are three times that many people on the stage. Seven triple-threats is no easy find, but they are here at Plymouth State and in this show. A fantastic way to spend an evening with its laughing, singing, and dancing, “The It Girl” is sure to impress.