Moonlight Stage Production concludes their 39th season with the very entertaining Victor Victoria. Though a classic, this musical might not be one you think of right away but definitely one I recommend you see. The performances at Moonlight even include costumes and sets from the Broadway production that starred Julie Andrews!
I love opportunities to see a show that I’ve never seen and enjoy and every each moment. Moonlight’s version was amazing thanks in part to the talented actors including Lance Arthur Smith who played Carroll Todd and Allison Spratt Pearce playing the title role of Victoria Grant.
The show wouldn’t be complete without the backstage crew working hard on moving the many set pieces and I was blown away by the 21-piece orchestra under the baton of Lyndon Pugeda.
Victor Victoria is set in 1930s where Robert Wagner’s set design takes us to the streets of Paris and into the nightlife world of a small nightclub. In “Paris by Night,” Carroll Todd (Lance Arthur Smith) sings to us about that nightlife and mystery and magic that can come about in the City of Light.
Lance Arthur Smith (center) as Carrol “Toddy” Todd. Photo by Ken Jacques.
Victoria Grant, struggling to make ends meet, lands in the small nightclub where Toddy has just finished preforming. The two strike up a conversation where he learns that she has no money or work. The two hatch a scheme that could become a success and earn them all the money and prestige that they desire. All they have to do is have Victoria a woman, claim to be a man, claiming to be a woman.
Lance Arthur Smith as Carroll “Toddy” Todd and Allison Spratt Pearce as Victoria Grant. Photo by Ken Jacques.
Victoria Grant (Allison Spratt Pearce) in “If I were a Man,” notes that things would indeed be so much easier if that were true. Pearce, making her debut at Moonlight has the voice of an angel, close your eyes and you might hear a bit of Julie Andrews in her voice.While
Pearce and Smith are a perfect pairing. Smith’s quick wit and charm match with Pearce’s comedic touch and soulful voice. The way the two interact with each other is as though they’ve known each other for years.
While the show may be light on memorable songs, the performances still manage to catch your eye, especially with “Le Jazz Hot,” the one song that does have some popularity. The choreography from John Vaughn and lighting from Jean-Yves Tessier during this number is a flashy dazzling spectacle.
Allison Spratt Pearce (center) as Victoria Grant with the company. Photo by Ken Jacques.
Things get even crazier when sparks begin to fly between Victoria and a notorious Chicago businessman, King Marchan (Hank Stratton), as he sets out to uncover “the Count’s” secret. Stratton, who was last seen in Moonlight’s Newsies, once again delivers a strong performance. His acting is incredible and his singing abilities really shine in his solo “King’s Dilemma,” and duet with Victoria (Pearce).
Hank Stratton as King Marchan and Allison Spratt Pearce as Victoria Grant. Photo by Ken Jacques.
The stand-out comedic actor of the show without a doubt has to be Moonlight favorite Bets Malone in her role of Norma Cassidy. She shines in several musical numbers including “Chicago, Illinois,” and the hilarious “Paris makes me horny.”
Hank Stratton as King Marchan and Bets Malone as Norma Cassidy. Photo by Ken Jacques.
If you’ve never seen Victor Victoria, I would definitely take a chance and see Moonlight’s production. The high production values combined with the immense talent that has gathered is well worth the price of admission. You’ll walk away surprised at just how lucky we are to live where we can see Broadway-caliber productions right in our own backyard.
Cast and Crew in Moonlight’s Victor Victoria
Allison Spratt Pearce (Victoria Grant), Lance Arthur Smith (Carroll Todd), Hank Stratton (King Marchan), Bets Malone (Norma Cassidy) Johnny Fletcher (Squash Bernstein), Luke H. Jacobs (Henri Labisse), Jamie Snyder (André Cassell), and Greg Nicholas (Sal Andretti).
Ensemble: Jake Bradford, Deborah Fauerbach, Casey Garritano, Shirley Johnston, Katie Jurich, Fisher Kaake, Christopher Lee, Joy Newbegin, Trevor Rex, Samantha Roper, Simoné Sassudelli, Matthew Ryan, Aaron Shaw, Susan Stuber, Helen Tait, Susanna Vaughan, and Andrea Williams.
Directed by JOHN VAUGHAN; Music Director & Conductor LYNDON PUGEDA; Choreography by JOHN VAUGHAN; Sound Design by JIM ZADAI; Wig Design by PETER HERMAN; Makeup Design by KATHLEEN KENNA; Costumes Coordinated by CARLOTTA MALONE, ROSLYN LEHMAN, and RENETTA LLOYD; Properties Master BONNIE DURBEN; Stage Managed by STANLEY D. COHEN; Scenic by ROBERT WAGNER; Lighting Design by JEAN-YVES TESSIER
Victor Victoria features a book by Blake Edwards, music by Henry Mancini and lyrics by Leslie Bricusse.
Ticket Information
Single tickets for Moonlight Stage production of Victor Victoria range from $17 – $57. There are discounts for Seniors and Students and military. For tickets contact The Moonlight Amphitheatre at 760-724-2110 or visit the Moonlight Stage Productions Ticket Website.
Schedule
September 11-28, 2019
Curtain at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $17 – $57.
Moonlight Amphitheater Location
The Moonlight Amphitheatre is located at 1200 Vale Terrace Dr, Vista, CA 92084
Take the Civic Center Drive and exit off Highway 78, go north. Turn right on E Vista Way. Turn right on Vale Terrace. Continue on Vale Terrace about 1/2 mile and turn left into Brengle Terrace Park.
Parking at Moonlight Amphitheatre
There is free parking available at Brengle Terrace Park. Shuttle service is available for those who end up parking in the upper grass lot. The shuttle will begin running 2.5 hours before the show starts as well as after the show.
For more information and tickets call The Moonlight Amphitheatre at 760-724-2110 or visit The Moonlight Stage Production website.
Moonlight Stage Production Season 2020
The 40th Anniversary Season is a BIG one as it will include five shows beginning in May.
- An American in Paris May 13 – 30
- Something Rotten June 10 – 27
- Cinderella July 15 – August 1
- Ragtime The Musical August 12 – 29
- Kinky Boots September 9- 26