Handing it all over to ‘Sweet Charity’

Young Chang

Director Michael Ross told the board of the Newport Theatre Arts

Center last year that he’d stage the musical “Sweet Charity” on the

condition that Kerri Vickers be cast in the title role.

Board members mulled over the idea because pre-casting roles isn’t

normally done. They agreed.

“Charity is a tour-de-force role that offers whatever actress playing

her to show off not only her singing and dancing skills, but her acting

range,” Ross said. “Kerri is the only actress I know who has the ability

to pull that off.”

The actress, a former Newport Beach resident, said she was honored to

be chosen for the role. The Bob Fosse show, based on the Neil Simon book,

runs through June 30 at the Newport Theatre Arts Center.

“She gets looked at as naive and ignorant, she’s not the brightest

bulb, but she never gives up,” Vickers said of her character. “To

Charity, love is everything in the world. I just sort of relished the

opportunity to play her because she had so much to offer and because of

everything she represents.”

The story is about Charity Hope Valentine, a hostess in a dance hall

who wears her heart on her sleeve. People tend to take advantage of her

and she learns tough lessons. Then she meets a man. Things go well. But

he finds out her past and things change. She, meanwhile, remains her

hopeful self.

“It’s got a poignant message even though it’s delivered through this

undereducated person,” Vickers said. “She’s not stupid at all. She’s just

not educated. She’s really trusting and honest and open and is not afraid

to say things. Nowadays, in today’s time, that is really really brave.”

For the 28-year-old actress, the role of Charity is a chance to play a

character she admires.

The role of dancing Charity in this Bob Fosse musical, with the hit

tunes “Big Spender” and “Rich Man’s Frug,” is a separate thrill.

“As a dancer, it was so essential to me that we do the Fosse

choreography,” she said. “To me, it is the style of the show. It captures

the style of the show. It was so important to me that that was maintained

and glorified.”

The dances are subtle, as Fosse’s moves always are. Everything is

turned in and it’s all about the attitudes and facial expressions.

“I think Fosse is so incredibly brilliant because he took dance and

made it fit into real life,” Vickers said. “It all started to mesh

together and blend together. It fits the style of the characters.”

FYI

WHAT: “Sweet Charity”

WHEN: Through June 30; Performances will be at 8 p.m. Thursday through

Saturday, with 2:30 p.m. matinees Sunday

WHERE: Newport Theatre Arts Center, 2501 Cliff Drive, Newport Beach

COST: $15

CALL: (949) 631-0288