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3 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Work continues on former fountain site Mushrooms best the Novelists Missing Ashland teen Hannah Thomas-Garner possibly seen in Florida, police say One arrested, one at large after Ashland assault Police Reports Education Mushrooms best the Novelists Reading for sport builds mental muscles Hands-on lessons about art, food and teamwork Middle school to sell discounted books AHS Principal Zundel up for national award Environment Controlled burn planned for Ashland watershed on Friday Mt. 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OREGON CABARET THEATRE Joyous re-launch of 'Dames at Sea' By Roberta Kent For the Tidings DailyTidings.com By Roberta Kent For the Tidings Posted Feb. 19, 2015 @ 7:23 pm By Roberta Kent For the Tidings Posted Feb. 19, 2015 @ 7:23 pm » Social News p bs:newslist StartDate="20121121" EndDate="p bs:datecalc Months="3"" DateSort="1" UseObjects="1" ObjectClass="81" Taxonomywords="2324,665" ExactTaxonomyMatch="1" Image="1" Count="4" --> “Dames at Sea” is the perfect musical to celebrate a new season and new beginnings at the Ashland’s Oregon Cabaret Theatre. Much like the Cabaret itself, “Dames at Sea” is intelligent, witty and charming with lots of clever songs and snappy tap-dancing production numbers. It’s hard to imagine a better vehicle to introduce new Cabaret Artistic Director Valerie Rachelle, the show’s director and choreographer. “Dames at Sea” is all about breathless yet seamless pacing, intricate tap routines and a sweetly sentimental storyline. Not an easy feat to pull off. Rachelle, with the help of musical director Jennifer Schloming, nails it. “Dames at Sea” was the first production of the Cabaret’s first season, back in 1986. The paint job that covered the “old pink church” was barely dry, the elaborate vintage chandelier and rediscovered stained glass windows newly installed. Owner Craig Hudson and the Cabaret’s first artistic director, Jim Giancarlo, could finally say, “Let’s put on a show!” The show is a nostalgic wink at the wholesome, buoyant movie musicals of the 1930s where optimism, hard work and sheer luck always prevail over seemingly insurmountable obstacles. “Dames at Sea,” with book and lyrics by George Haimsohn and Robin Miller and music by Jim Wise, manages to include every character and melody cliché from the era. We have the plucky young ingénue, Ruby (Jillian Van Niel); the smitten suitor, Dick (Lucas Blair); the wisecracking sidekick, Joan (Emily Fisher), and her beau, Lucky (Scott Reardon); the harried producer (Billy Breed) and the temperamental diva, Mona Kent (Jessica Blazak). They then come up with a plot that takes the improbable to new lengths. The breathless ingénue gets a job in the chorus of a Broadway show due to open that night. Her smitten suitor is a sailor, as well as an aspiring songwriter. The diva becomes enthralled with his music as well as his muscles. But that very day, the theater is to be demolished. The sailor suggests his battleship as a replacement venue. And it just so happens the ship’s captain is a former flame of the diva — who is delighted to reignite the embers. Van Niel is the perfect, perky Ruby, whether crinkling her nose with pleasure or earnestly trying to overcome a broken heart. She is in good company with Blair, Reardon and especially Fisher, who carry off wisecracks and intricate tap rhythms with equal aplomb. The comic relief here is supplied by the joyful mugging of Blazak and Breed (who effortlessly morphs from harried producer to lovesick captain). Blazak carries off some delicious stage business, whether stomping across the stage with a ladder to correct her misspelled name on the marquee, awkwardly draping herself chanteuse-style on a piano or trying to spritely hop onto a ledge just a tad too high for her. Breed has one of those infinitely elastic faces that can leer, snarl or simper with equal ease. These are all first rate, experienced performers. Director Rachelle has worked with all of them before and the rapport shows. The production values are also flawless, from set designer Patrick Larsen’s multi-level battleship turret to costume designer Kerri Lea Robbins flouncy satin '30s tap shorts and jaunty sailor suits. Will Ruby be able to learn all those tap routines when Mona gets seasick and can’t go on? Will Ruby walk onstage an understudy but come back a star? Will Ruby forgive Dick that kiss with Mona? Of course she will. But you really should come to the Cabaret and see for yourself. “Dames at Sea” runs through March 29 at OCT, First and Hargadine streets, Ashland. Curtain is at 8 p.m. for evening shows, 1 p.m. for matinees. Tickets cost $21 for bistro seating; $35 for table seating on the main floor and balcony. Dinner seating begins at 6:30 p.m. for evening shows; 12:30 p.m. for brunch matinees. Call 541-488-2902 or see www.oregoncabaret.com for ticket information and dinner or brunch reservations.  Roberta Kent is a freelance writer living in Ashland. Reach her at [email protected].   By Roberta Kent For the Tidings DailyTidings.com By Roberta Kent For the Tidings Posted Feb. 19, 2015 @ 7:23 pm » Comment or view comments /* $( document ).ready(function() { // Jquery mobile is trying to style the button and leaving a blank gry button on top of a white button $("#viafouracoms .vf-comment-controls li.vf-right").html(' Submit '); });*/ » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with DailyTidings.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Alerts Email alerts RSS feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. 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