I was very excited to see this show at Rollins College for two reasons. The first is my love for this show. I won’t lie, I’ve seen a bootleg of the original cast. My favorite songwriter DOLLY PARTON IS QUEEN! Second is that one of my best friends graduated from this school and some of my fondest memories are of seeing shows on Rollins stages. Rollins was never my first choice for anything other than straight plays.
I was pleasantly surprised at stand out performer Lena Barker as Doralee. Megan Hilty, who originated the role on Broadway, is a powerhouse even if you take away her ability to sing. Lena came to the table with her version of Dolly’s voice making Doralee her own. The song Backwoods Barbie brings lots of laughs, but is nothing without its spirit. Thank you for a beautiful rendition of this song that speaks the story of such a colorful and dynamic woman.
Real Talk: To the females in the cast I want to give a little advice with a quote from another woman who has influenced my life, Tina Fey. “Make statements, with your actions and your voice.” One such action is bending the elbow at a 90 degree angle with limp wrists. This may be due to the youth and uncertainty of many performers, but is a dead giveaway that an actress has not fully embraced the physicality of her character. In a show talking about the strength of the “little guy (or gal)” it’s important to point this out. While the women in this office are being mistreated by the men, they are aware of who they are. Aside from Judy. Many of the female cast carried this habit through the length of the show. Take some time to really be aware of your arms and physicality in general.
I was very surprised at the lack of male presence in this show. I felt Nicholas D’Alessandro, Mr. Heart, was funny but not a commanding character. I would have liked stronger performances from all the male cast but they can definitely sing.
What a fun show! My family and I had a wonderful time. Thank you for bringing this story to life. Thank you for your energy. Ya boy says “Bravo!”
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