The Yeoman of the Guard: A Theatrical Review
A delightful Gilbert and Sullivan operetta is currently playing at the Sierra Madre Playhouse. Directed by Eugene J. Hutchins with musical director Brian Asher Alhadeff, this production has all the success it needs to offer a wonderful evening at the theatre. Only difficult part would be for audience members with hearing deficits. Operetta can be difficult to understand in small theatres, and though the Sierra Madre Playhouse is not “small” it is most assuredly smaller than this show was intended for.
Perhaps the star of the show, the one who the audience finds themselves watching and listening to the most – regardless of what else is going on on the stage, would be Matthew Welch, who portrays Jack Point and the Yeoman. This you man has a splendid bass voice and seems to move on stage as though his very bones were made of silly putty. Delightful for those who love Gilbert and Sullivan productions. The remainder of the cast is stellar as well, but most of my readers have come to expect me to spotlight the key performer, and in this production Matthew Welch steals the show.
The production is running Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 PM and Sundays at 2:30 PM through September 24th, and all seats are only $25 each. The Sierra Madre Playhouse is nestled away in the quaint and delightful town of Sierra Madre, CA located at 87 W. Sierra Madre Blvd (zip code for those of you googling the location is 91024). Contact the theatre for tickets at 626-355-4318, or log onto their website at www.sierramadreplayhouse.org. Enjoy!
Randall Gray
The California Theatre Critic
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