Everybody’s Talking About Jamie
My thoughts on Everybody’s Talking About Jamie or…very pretty in pink.
Everybody’s Talking About Jamie and for good reason. He’s fabulous. And so is this show that is all about him.
This first ever DFW production ofJamie, with book and lyrics by Tom Macrae and music by Dan Gillespie Sells, is the based on real events tale of British high schooler Jamie New who yearns to be a drag queen. Jamie has the support of his devoted mother Margaret, Margaret’s friend Ray, his best friend Pritti, and a wise and witty mentor in Hugo Battersby aka Loco Chanelle. His obstacles are his father, his teacher Miss Hedge, and Dean Paxton, his cruel bully of a classmate. But there is just no stopping his fabulousness.
Scenic Designer Kevin Brown has created a versatile set with an upstage wall with a central door through which characters enter and exit. The wall is adorned with multiple squares and rectangles that are vibrantly lighted by Lighting/Multi-Media Designer Scott Guenther. Guenther cleverly has the lights change colors to reflect the moods of the scenes. Brown’s set transitions smoothly from a school classroom to Jamie’s home to a clothing store for drag queens and more. Suzi Cranford’s costumes go from drag queen chic to British school uniforms. Michael B. Moore designed the hair and makeup, and Brian Christensen’s sound design keeps those great Jamie songs and the dialogue clear and the orchestra very well amplified.
Incomparable Music Director Vonda K. Bowling leads the orchestra, plays Keyboard 1, and has all the Jamie vocalists delivering their best. The excellent orchestra includes Dennis Langevin, Carlos Strudwick, Joseph Garza, Christian Gonzalez, Benjamin Brown, Andrew Goins, and Michael Ptacin. Shout out to Jeffrey Bowling who conducted and played keyboard for performances from July 17-20.
Choreographer Evor’s dances are exuberant and filled with youthful energy. Dancing around desks reminded me of Matilda, but those kids would be hard pressed to keep up with the rambunctious teens of Jamie’s school.
Director Penny Ann Maas directs this funny and heartwarming show with great skill. The big production numbers are rousing, the intimate moments are poignant, and Maas has a keen eye for comedy. She also possesses a real gift for casting.
Henry Cawood is sensational as the leggy, lithe, sensitive, and determined to fulfill his dreams, Jamie. Cawood has what it takes to charm an audience in drag and out. Mary Gilbreath Grim as Jamie’s supportive, loving mother Margaret brings her stunning powerhouse vocals to the character and is the mother every young gay man needs. Not so his father, played by Jericho Thomas, who is angry and wants nothing to do with his son.
Laila Jalil shines as Pritti, Jamie’s Muslim best friend. Jalil gives the character sincerity and likeability and has a beautiful solo number. Doug Fowler touches your funny bone and your heart as Hugo, who was once a drag queen and offers friendship and advice to Jamie. Brett Warner is the funny, tough Ray. In a part that seems tailor made for her, Warner is a gem. Laura Lyman Payne deftly wavers between friend and foe as the fashion-conscious teacher Miss Hedge. Sam Illum is appropriately nasty as Dean Paxton, Jamie’s homophobic and belligerent classmate. Illum embodies that guy we all hated to see coming down the hall in high school.
Special shout out to the lovely “ladies” who teach Jamie the ins and outs of drag. Jacob Hemsath as Laika Virgin, Tyler Ray Lewis as Sandra Bullock, and Arya J. Valley as Tray Sophisticay. Shontay you all stay.
Jamie’s singing, dancing, and wanna be wild school chums who bring endless energy to the production include Sophie DeYoung, Carlos Gutierrez, Hunter Hurt, Ania Lyons, Dave Mar, Steven Rios, Abriela Rodriguez, and Gabriela Yarbrough.
As a person who sees around 10 to 15 shows a month, I was delighted to see this beautifully produced and directed show that I had never seen before. There are echoes of Kinky Boots, Matilda, and The Prom in Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, but it feels fresh and original with terrific songs, spirited dances, and dynamite performances. And the message of “Be Yourself” is at its center.
Uptown Players closes its season with a stellar production that is immensely entertaining. I just may talk about you if you don’t see Everyone’s Talking About Jamie.
Photos by Mike Morgan
