Will Rogers was a hokey, folksy dude who lived a colorful life.
And so it makes sense that “The Will Rogers Follies” — the musical based on his fascinating life story, is a hokey outing with a folksy book by Peter Stone and memorable music by Cy Coleman.
The “Follies,” currently running at Boulder’s Dinner Theatre, is almost prohibitively folksy, especially as the musical first finds its feet in the opening scenes. But once the scene is set and the rules are documented, it quickly becomes obvious that this is one of the strongest, most complete musicals written in the last two decades.
The scene: “The Ziegfeld Follies,” where Rogers (played by A.K. Klimpke) performed for many years.
The rules: You know how this story ends. Rogers is your narrator, and he politely tells the story of his own Oklahoma birth, his Alaska death in a 1935 plane crash, and everything in between.
The musical touches on all the major bullet points of Rogers’ life, his show business introduction (“The Wild West Show”) starting a family with wife Betty (Shelly Cox- Robie), his presidential candidacy and his role consoling the country amid the Great Depression.
This isn’t the first time Boulder’s Dinner Theatre has staged “Follies.” It’s actually the third time, and their experience with the musical shows — especially in the details.
The costumes are a delight, colorful eye candy that bolts off the stage. The sets are effective, focusing on the smart use of the lit-up, half-moon staircase. The songs are great, and the actors’ voices are up to the task of carrying them out.
The choreography, too, is simple and sweet as it plays with the many Western threads that run through the show.
The current production of the “Follies” thrives on the cast’s collaborative efforts. The musical is at its best when the Drugstore Cowboys are backing up Will in “Give a Man Enough Rope,” their tight barbershop-style harmonies as clean and smooth as Will’s satin cowboy shirt.
The ladies are excellent en masse, too. They’re a treat backing up their dad, Clem, on “It’s a Boy.” And as the New Ziegfeld Girls, they’re the best part of the otherwise lackluster song “Presents For Mrs. Rogers.” The women, along with their male counterparts, boost “Our Favorite Son” so much that it’s one of the best numbers in the show — the energy and singing and choreography is that good.
The solo performances aren’t as strong. Klimpke has the right attitude and voice, but his Will Rogers is a bit inconsistent. He starts out on the macho side — not all that unlike Klimpke’s last character, the psychotic dentist in “Little Shop of Horrors.” Later in the show his Will evens out, and he’s warmer and gentler — the kind mix of rugged and thoughtful often attributed to Rogers.
Cox-Robie’s Betty gets the short end of the stick as far as songs go. “My Big Mistake” and “No Man Left For Me” are seen as the show’s lamentable heart, but they’re hardly rousing ballads. Still, Cox-Robie makes the most out of them. Her role in “The Big Time” — with the four valiant kids who play their children — makes the song a triumph, regardless of its ham-handed choreography.
The show borrows from the always self-effacing Rogers and pokes fun at itself. After a President Bush joke drew moans from the older crowd, Klimpke went on about the Republicans in the crowd.
“Of course we have Republicans here. They’re the only ones that have the money to go to the dinner theater.”
In another scene, Will is talking with his father — and the crowd; this show doesn’t make much of the fourth wall — and he says something along the lines of, “The audience likes me, they like what I do.” To which his dear ol’ dad replies, “Sure, but they like the chicken cordon bleu,” a reference to the inexplicably popular dish on the dinner theater’s menu, highlighted as an “audience favorite.”
Ricardo Baca: 303-954-1394 or rbaca@denverpost.com
“The Will Rogers Follies” ***1/2 (out of four stars)
Musical. Boulder’s Dinner Theatre, 5501 Arapahoe Ave. Directed by Scott Beyette. Starring A.K. Klimpke, DP Perkins, Shelly Cox-Robie and Christianna Sullins. Through Aug. 30. 7 p.m. Wednesdays, 7:45 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays; 1:45 and 7:45 p.m. Sundays (dinner service 90 minutes before). $34-$53. 303-449-6000,
This weekend’s theater openings
“An Arrant Knave”
Thin Air Theatre’s annual summer melodrama is about a harsh Victorian Duke who has killed his way to power — but not everyone he thinks is dead is dead. Through July 26. Butte Opera House, 139 E. Bennett Ave., 719-235-8944 or
“Catch Me If You Can”
No, not the Leonardo DiCaprio movie. This is an American adaptation of the French boulevard play about an advertising man who’s visited by a pretty young girl insisting she is his missing wife. Through July 12. Victorian Playhouse, 4201 Hooker St., 303-433-4343 or
“Crazy Bag”
Autobiographical one-woman show in which a vagabond single mother with baggage unloads all the junk in her trunk. Written and performed by Murphy Funkhouser, a minister’s daughter who recounts her path from rebellion to the rediscovery of home. Through June 29. Vintage Theatre, 2119 E. 17th Ave., 303-839-1361 or or
“Murder on Pirate Island”
A light dinner mystery in which pirates have assembled to crown a new king — but what’s Lady Prudence Twilliger doing in the company of these cutthroats? Through July 26. Adams Mystery Playhouse, 2406 Federal Blvd., 303-455-1848 or
“The Music Man”
Classic musical about a con man who comes to a small town intent on making his mark; instead they make theirs on him. This is the long-awaited opening of the new $6.2 million, 380-seat dinner theater in Johnstown. Through Aug. 31. Candlelight Dinner Playhouse, 4747 Market Place Drive, Johnstown, 970-744-3747, 1-877-240-4242 or or
“The Mystery of Edwin Drood”
The Creede Repertory Theatre, located 250 miles southwest of Denver, opens its 43rd season with Rupert Holmes’ musical takeoff on Charles’ Dickens’ final, incomplete novel. The audience determines one of 11 possible endings. Through Aug. 23. 124 N. Main St., 719-658-2540, 1-866-658-2540 or .
“Reverse Psychology”
Charles Ludlam’s comic send-up of the psychiatric profession, pretentious artists and modern sexual confusion. Through July 6. Germinal Stage-Denver, 2450 W. 44th Ave., 303-455-7108 or .
“Side Show”
The 19-year-old Physically Handicapped Actors and Musical Artists League revisits its greatest triumph, the true tale of conjoined twin sisters who became stars of the carnival circuit during the Depression. The musical, including the number, “Come Look at the Freaks,” takes on a whole new meaning when actors with disabilities are performing the roles. Through June 29. Space Theatre, Denver Performing Arts Complex, 303-575-0005 or .
“A Thousand Cranes”
True story of Sadako Sasaki, who survived the bombing of Hiroshima and sought peace in the world. Through Sunday. E-Project, 9797 W. Colfax Ave., Lakewood, 303-232-0363 or .
Compiled by John Moore
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