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Listen to our review of Natural Theatricals’ production of Will You Know It’s Me? [MP3 3:11 1.5MB].

Laura: This is the ShowBizRadio.net review of Natural Theatricals‘ production of Will You Know It’s Me? performed at the George Washington Masonic National Memorial in Alexandria, Virginia. I saw the performance on Tuesday, October 16, 2007.

This was a really good show. It was a little edgy, but overall I enjoyed it. It was an art gallery where they displayed artists’ works and did custom framing.

Will You Know It’s Me? is an original work with book, music and lyrics by Paula Alprin. Musical direction and arrangement by James D. Watson and choreography by Tosia Anne Shall. A woman, alone in her little art gallery late at night, is accosted by a mysterious stranger who may or may not be from a small merchant town in medieval England. Blending song with oral storytelling and drama, Will You Know It’s Me? explores the collision of two strong wills who eventually find their common ground.

Tina, the shop owner, was played by Paula Alprin. She did a very good job. She was very emotional and put a lot of heart and soul into it. The “Mysterious Stranger” Margery, was played by Deborah Rinn Critzer. She also did a really good job. She had a lot of emotion. She could cry at the drop of a hat, which she did. The dialogue scenes between Tina and Margery were very good. They were deep. Tina got pretty angry at Margery and Margery got just as angry at some points in time. They really played together well.

The Course is composed of Andrew Vergara Retizos, Geneveive James, Laurie Geigel and Spencer Mickelson. They also did a good job. They had some really good dance numbers, and really good singing. The only downside was because there was a live orchestra. The conductor was James D. Watson who also put the music together. When more than one of the men would sing it kind of got lost in the guitar and the piano that was being played. That was one downer, but they all did a good job. They all looked like they were having a good time and really put their heart and soul into this musical. It was a little different, a little bit edgy, but it was an enjoyable evening. I think you will enjoy it and you will like the music.

And now, on with the show.

Cast

• Margery: Deborah Rinn Critzer
• Tina: Paula Alprin
• “The Course”: Laurie Geigel, Genevieve James, Spencer Mickelson And Andrew Vergara Retizos

Orchestra

• Violin: Marcia Mcintyre
• Cello: Katie Chambers
• Guitar: Rob Weaver
• Bass: Marc Dion
• Keyboard: James D. Watson

Designers And Other Artists

• Set Designer: Todd F. Edwards
• Lighting Designer: Jason Cowperthwaite
• Costume Designer: Cat Martin
• Properties Designer: Theoni Panagopoulos
• Stage Manager: Maggie Clifton
• Assistant Stage Manager: Quentin Nash Sagers
• Lighting Technician: Denise Shrader
• Chief Scenic Artist: Jodi Lieburn
• Scenic Artist: Alex Gutierrez
• Gallery Artist: Melissa Tenney