This is a printer-friendly version of an article from Zip06.com.
06/17/2021 12:01 AMDo you enjoy cooking competitions? Country fairs?
Even if the answer is “No,” you will still enjoy Just Desserts—A Musical Back-Off, at Legacy Theatre through Sunday, June 27.
The plot is simple: Five bakers have made the finals of the country fair annual competition. For the finals, they must bake three different types of desserts during the course of the day. The local community TV station will broadcast parts of the event.
It may appear that the contestants are stereotypes, but authors Barbara Campbell (book and lyrics) and Brad Ross (music) have given them twists to their backstories that makes them much more.
Mildred, played with prim aggressiveness by Mary Ann Frank, is the four-time champion and a successful businesswoman. She has clout, but Frank brings out hidden sadness. It seems that for her mother she was never “good enough” or “pretty enough.”
The other characters are also more than they seem on the on the surface. Mary Mannix plays Brandy, who appears at first like a Dolly Parton lookalike but there’s more to her than just that. The same with Emma, played by Alyssa Bianca, the ambitious younger challenger to Mildred. She may seem like an All-American girl, but in reality she could be Mildred’s younger sister.
Perhaps the character you root for most is Jean, played by Susan Kulp—she’s the “I don’t really want to be here” character who is so used to putting everyone first that she has never given herself a chance at life. There must be one male contestant. In this case it is Lou, played by Perry Liu, the mysterious stranger who causes wild speculation.
It’s hard to pick a standout performer since each manages to bring depth to his or her character.
Of course, the plot must have a little mystery, some romance, some charges of cheating, and some back-stabbing. But let’s just say that by the end all the contestants and perhaps even the emcee Zack have grown and changed.
Jimmy Johansmeyer is Zack, the local weather man for the TV station. His fake smile is a work of art. But he also puts in an appearance as Donny, Brandy’s new boyfriend.
Bert Bernardi as director keeps the show moving, including the short scenes that explain some of the characters’ backstories. In those, the other contestants become people in the lives of the character. Thus, we see a short vignette of Mildred with her mother, Emma with her father, and others. These scenes help flesh out the characters. These scenes could be tricky, but Bernardi and his cast handle them with ease.
The show is blessed with fine singers who, with the help of music director David Bell, put the songs over effectively. If the title tune isn’t fantastic, there are others that will catch your attention. I particularly liked “All-American Pie,” “Beautiful” sung mainly by Jean, and Mildred’s “Eye on the Prize.”
Once again, Legacy has presented an interesting set and lighting (both by Jamie Burnett) and costumes by Elizabeth Bolster and sound design by Louis Igoe.
Does the show need some work? Yes, it could use some tightening, but the bones are there for something that would be great for many smaller theaters.
You will not only enjoy the show but the beautiful new theater. For tickets or information, visit LegacyTheatreCT.org.