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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Flash flooding washes through downtown Ashland ... New pups confirmed in OR-7's Rogue Pack ... Police Reports ... Flash flooding washes through downtown Ashland ... New pups confirmed in OR-7's Rogue Pack ... Police Reports ... OREGON CABARET THEATRE Joyous re-launch of 'Dames at Sea' Comment By Roberta Kent For the Tidings DailyTidings.com By Roberta Kent For the Tidings Posted Feb. 19, 2015 at 7:23 PM By Roberta Kent For the Tidings Posted Feb. 19, 2015 at 7:23 PM » Social News “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 at 7:23 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » 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. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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