After the retirement of theater director Jessica Froehlich last year, many wondered if the Edina High School would continue the legacy of excellence that Froeliech had facilitated for the past 23 years. Led by new director, Jane Froiland, and choreographer, Ella Williams, EHS’s “Nice Work If You Can Get It” puts all worries to ease with a fantastic performance.
The musical production originally made its Broadway debut in 2012 and starred renowned actors Matthew Brodrick and Kelli O’Hara as the male and female leads.
The musical is set in the 1920s and follows the story of the rich playboy Jimmy Winter (Will Jakala) who meets hard-boiled bootlegger Billie Bendix (Naomi Smith).
The two do not hit it off initially, as they have different backgrounds and goals. During their first encounter, the very drunk Winter tells Bendix about his engagement to Eileen Evergreen (the best interpreter of modern dance in the world) and about his unused summer home. Bendix has the brilliant idea of using Winter’s summer home to stash her moonshine.
Later, the two are forced back together at Winter’s summer home which he has decided to use for his honeymoon. A distraught Bendix decides to make up an identity to avoid suspicion; her bootlegging buddies pose as the house’s new butler and chef. Despite all obstacles, including a self-absorbed modern dancer, false identities, a vertically challenged police officer, and a crazed prohibitionist, the two characters find themselves in love.
All cast members did a wonderful job performing the classic music of George and Ira Gershwin such as “Let’s Call the Whole Thing Off,” and “Sweet And Lowdown.” Leads Smith and Jakala perfectly encapsulated the hilarious and unrealistic romance of their characters. They showcased their ability to portray the deep emotion of love and loneliness, exemplified by Smith’s performance of “Someone to Watch Over Me.” The two leads’ performance in “S’Wonderful” also left the audience rooting for their relationship as the characters realize their love for each other and perform an expertly choreographed piece around Jimmy Winter’s summer home.
Zany slapstick humor is used by all characters but especially by the power duo of the undercover bootleggers posing as the butler and chef, who both left the crowd rolling with laughter with their clever quips and sarcastic remarks.
While keeping the essence of a happy-go-lucky Broadway musical, the EHS thespians also made the production their own.
Throughout the musical, the cast explores modern humor to satirize not only the prohibition of the 1920s but the relationship between economic classes and societal power roles (as well as some commentary on modern politics).
Whether it came from a drunk prohibitionist swinging from a chandelier or an elderly woman bootlegging liquor, this witty musical left all members of the audience writhing with laughter. EHS’s production of “Nice Work If You Can Get It” is a testament to the excellence of the EHS theater program.
