Princeton Triangle Club presents an original musical for its yearly show.
By: Stuart Duncan
Each year creators of the Princeton Triangle Club show face the question a book musical or a revue? And almost every year the answer comes back a revue is much easier.
Of course a revue is apt to be rather uneven, since multiple writers are contributing skits that may vary greatly in technique and subject matter. Songwriters, of course, are doing the same, but still, a revue is much safer than trying to fit all the needed pieces together in a book musical. And if a skit doesn’t seem to be working as intended, there is always a rewrite, or if absolutely necessary, chopping the piece out of the show. Thus, nine times out of 10, the Triangle show is a revue, usually with a catchy title to sell tickets.
But not this year. For the 2005-2006 shows, all the writers (19 of them) got together, formed a workshop, collaborated so that virtually every word was subject to inspection and revision and, lo and behold, a book that not only holds up, but often offers real characters, real emotions and real theater was created. They began with a concept the struggles involved with the making of a Hollywood feature film that might just make a few people proud. They added some tunes (actually 14 of them, plus a few snippets of others) that fit the story and enhanced the characters. Then they found some of the best talent in years, and certainly the most polished.
In fact Excess Hollywood is the best Triangle show in decades. And it comes without a single dirty joke or political sneer, and without even a hint of sophomoric humor or campus gossip. The closest the script comes is when one of the actors who has been "bulking up" for a hero’s role decides to depart: "If I leave now I can get on the ballot for governor of California."
The plot begins with Carter James and Kate Browning (see it’s so old-fashioned the writers even use full names), played by seniors Jake Van Naarden and Megan McGowan with great panache. The two are assigned the tasks of producing and directing a film that will win the famous "Maxine Award." In true musical fashion they start by hating each other, find they need each other and end up as lovers.
They are competing with the infamous Le Stat, a Frenchman who will stop at nothing to sabotage the Americans and win for the glory of France. The role is played by the super-talented Jed Peterson, long an Intime stalwart who has just submitted a production of Romeo and Juliet at the Berlind as his senior thesis. Jed teams up with freshman Faaria Kherani, who plays Tavia Turner, and they come very close to stealing the evening, especially in the first act when they sing (and dance) "Be a Villain." Ms. Kherani has perhaps the best voice in the company, but there are really no weak links in this cast. Incidentally, "Be a Villain" was written (music and lyrics) by Louis Epstein, also a senior, who conducts the 16-piece orchestra as well.
The second act is no letdown. Kate and Carter have a lovely duet ("We’ll Find a Way") and there is a dandy novelty tune, "Opportunity Knocks," that features a couple of other talented members of this powerhouse company Mike Botta and Kelvin Dinkins. And, of course, near the closing, we have the centuries-old Triangle kick line all of the males in the company, this time dressed as Golden Oscars, high-kicking their way to the finale.
With so many talented seniors in the troupe, the future may look bleak, but with the writers still planning to hold workshops, and the applause of Excess Hollywood still ringing in their ears, the sun will come up tomorrow.
Excess Hollywood, a Princeton Triangle Club show, will play at McCarter Theatre, 91 University Place, Princeton, June 2, 8 p.m. and June 3, 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $20-$30, $15 standing room, $7.50 students/children. For information, call (609) 258-2787. On the Web: www.mccarter.org

