Vanguard opens season ‘Starting Now’

Tom Titus

Life, love, laughter -- and the occasional loss -- are the

ingredients of “Starting Here, Starting Now,” an up-tempo musical

revue that kicks off the new season at Vanguard University in Costa

Mesa.

It’s a safe bet that you’ve never heard any of the 26 songs in the

surprisingly brief 90-minute program, even though the Richard Maltby

Jr.-David Shire show has been around for some time. Although you may

not leave Vanguard’s Lyceum Theater humming the score, you’ll

probably find your fingers drumming or your toes tapping while you’re

inside.

The revue thrusts its spotlight on human behavior, with all its

joys, quirks and detours. Romance plays a major role in all its

various forms -- first meetings, attractions, commitments and

disentanglements. But the show also serves as a springboard for life,

and its six performers, under the direction of Maria

Cominis-Glaudini, celebrate the wonders of pure existence with an

infectious brand of enthusiasm.

The sextet -- Jeff Fazakerley, Caitlin Macy-Beckwith, Amy Maier,

Danielle Melilli, Landon J. Orcutt and Tim Zimmer -- comprise a

nicely balanced ensemble with strong voices and winning

personalities. Yet in even the most equally balanced company, there’s

bound to be a standout and Maier fills the bill in this regard.

Her showmanship is evident early on with some splendid facial

reactions during duets and ensemble numbers, but it manifests itself

about halfway through the first act in the solo “Crossword Puzzle,”

in which every word clue touches a nerve from a recently broken

relationship. Maier’s creative acumen is displayed beautifully late

in the show with the “Redemption Tap Dance,” which she choreographed

from the director’s conception.

Another excellent performance is delivered by Orcutt in the bitter

solo “I Don’t Remember Christmas,” another romantic fallout piece and

one of the strongest numbers of the evening. Macy-Beckwith

contributes one of the evening’s sweetest moments with her solo,

“Autumn.”

The tall, angular Fazakerley kicks off the second act with a

vibrant number, “Hey There Fans,” which segues into an ensemble piece

called “Travel,” which employs the small Lyceum stage to its fullest

extent. Melilli renders a strong solo, “A Girl You Should Know,”

which seems to come off a bit too strident for the circumstances.

Zimmer cracks open the fourth wall with his “Girl of the Minute”

number, in which one female audience member will find herself

momentarily in the show. The word “momentarily” is key here, since

the song is a paean to fickleness.

The three women blend their voices richly in the inspirational

number “Today is the First Day of the Rest of My Life,” which is

followed by an equally upbeat “A New Life Comin,’” as the three guys

join in. Next up is the show’s most memorable number, “What About

Today?” which features solo performances by all six cast members.

“Starting Here, Starting Now” is both short and sweet, an

encouraging, optimistic musical exercise in the game of life with a

half-dozen engaging performances.

CALLBOARD -- Auditions for “Redwood Curtain,” Lanford Wilson’s

three-character drama, will be held Monday and Tuesday at 7 p.m. at

the Newport Theater Arts Center, 2501 Cliff Drive Newport Beach.

Director David Colley will be casting one man, 35-45; one woman,

mid-40s, and a teenage Asian-American girl. The show opens Nov. 19,

and more information may be obtained by e-mailing

drcolley@sbcglobal.net.

* TOM TITUS reviews local theater for the Daily Pilot. His reviews

appear Fridays.