Musical "Fellowship! at the Falcon Theatre

---Theatre Review

From the moment the screwball gang of Middle-earth characters arrives on stage at the Falcon Theatre, in their energetic, Broadway style opening number (including barefoot tap-dancing), until they exit with a wink and a bow at the close, it is non-stop, rib-tickling, guffawing & snorting, explosive laughter.

Written by Kelly Holden-Bashar and Joel McGrary, and billed as a musical parody (with twelve original songs), "Fellowship!" is much more than the usual lampoon. It´s an action-packed festival of fun, with hilarious insider jokes, absurd clichés, groan-evoking "shtick," and jaw-dropping ad-libs about hot-off-the-press news items, such as the current winners on American Idol, and a certain Appalachian-cum-Argentinean journey.

Staying surprisingly true to the initial "Lord of the Rings" film, the story follows Frodo and his friends on the long journey through Middle-earth to return the powerful One Ring of Legend to the fiery pit from whence it came. A cleverly drawn and animated video map shows their progress as they set out from the Shire. Cory Rouse plays the heroic Hobbit with an innocent earnestness that oddly complements the play´s bawdy humor.

Brian D. Bradley is the wise and wisecracking wizard, Gandalf, who encourages and leads the motley party. He also plays Galadriel, the Lady Elf who lets Frodo see the "perhaps" future in her magic compact, er… mirror.

Of course there is conflict at every turn. Thankfully, the gory, slime-dripping, teeth rotting Orcs from the film are absent although there are a few "Black Riders" astride red-glowing-eyed "steeds" to terrify the travelers.

The mysterious Ranger (and non-king) Strider/Aragorn (played by Matthew Stephen Young) battles these Ringwaiths with adroit swordplay. Then after a sultry scene with his secret Elvin lover, the suave devil sends her off – astride a white horse, with a wounded (and flopping) Hobbit on her back – to safety in Rivendell. The equestrian chase scene and river crossing are brilliantly choreographed. Bravo!

Then there´s the monstrous, shadow and flame, Balrog, who would entomb the travelers in the smoldering depths of the dwarf mines (clever special effects there, as is the battle with the giant squid at the mine´s entrance). In a sizzling Cabaret "torch" song, Peter Allen Vogt, playing The Balrog, steals the show as he prances, smirks, poses and interacts with the audience. (Vogt also plays Frodo´s ever true and slightly askew companion, Sam.)

His hysterical, over-the-top number is followed in counterpoint by a funny-sweet duet by the stocky, red-bearded, ax-wielding, Dwarf, Gimli (Lisa Fredrickson) and the fair, lithe, archer-Elf, Legolas (Edi Patterson).

Steve Purnick plays Bilbo, the 111-year old Hobbit who sets the whole plot in motion. Ryan Smith and Kelly Holden-Bashar (the co-playwright) are Merry and (Annie-look-alike) Pippen, Frodo´s none-too-bright and always-in-trouble Hobbit friends.

"Fellowship!" is accompanied by a talented live band, made up of co-musical director, Allen Simpson on the keyboards and Chris Kirshbaum on the drums. These gentlemen willingly take the stage in statuesque roles during "On the River Rauros." Look for them in this adorable "motorized" scene.

The Falcon Theatre´s modified thrust stage, and comfortable tiered seating allow unobstructed views of every scene and, together with the simplistic set design and innovative lighting, as well as the high-quality acting, dancing and singing, make this reprised production of the award winning "Fellowship!´ a totally enjoyable experience.

"Fellowship!" continues at the Falcon Theatre Thursdays – Saturdays at 8:00 pm and Saturdays & Sundays at 4:00 pm through July 12. (No performance on July 4)

General admission is $27.50 - $35.00. (Students: $25.00) Group rates are available. For tickets call the Falcon Theatre box office at (818) 955-8101.