The Tabard Theatre Company presents a musical tribute to 1930’s
movie musicals, Dames at Sea, Fridays at 8 p.m. and Saturdays at 3
and 8 p.m., March 7-22
Special to The Times
The Tabard Theatre Company presents a musical tribute to 1930’s movie musicals, Dames at Sea, Fridays at 8 p.m. and Saturdays at 3 and 8 p.m., March 7-22
A song-writing sailor falls head over heels for a tap-dancing girl in this show-within-a-show satirical tribute to those glorious 1930’s Busby Berkeley movie musicals in which the new kid on the showbiz block saves the show and becomes the queen of Broadway – all in one day! Mirth and music all in one!
Dames at Sea is a spoof of the many movie musicals directed and choreographed by Berkeley in the early 1930’s that starred the big Hollywood talents of the day: Dick Powell, Ruby Keeler and Joan Blondell (hence, three of the characters are named Dick, Ruby, and Joan).
The other characters are equally standard to the films: the happy-go-lucky sidekick, the worn-out and demanding producer, the over-the-hill temperamental star, and her knight in shining armor (or gleaming white Navy uniform, in this show) who rescues her. And just like those movies, Dames at Sea has tuneful songs, great dancing, attractive stars and a simple, wish-fulfilling story all wrapped up in a lively production.
The Busby Berkeley movies were intentional pieces of feel-good fluff that had the singular purpose of picking up the spirits of Americans during the Great Depression that started with the stock market crash of 1929. And so it is with Dames at Sea.
The staging of our production is intentionally reflective and evocative of Berkeley’s work. The authors of Dames at Sea have deliberately written the show with six performers to parody further the cast of thousands that these movies were known for.
It reflects, too, the time in which it is set: the Depression, when doom and gloom, empty purses, and a shortage of jobs weighed on everyone (sound familiar?). So the movies, and by extension Dames at Sea, show us characters who experience instant love and instant success – things that surely shoo away the cobwebs of hopelessness and encourage happy hearts for a healthier future.
Dames at Sea was originally produced very successfully off-Broadway in 1968, running almost two years (575 performances). Featured in the role of Ruby was newcomer Bernadette Peters. The show’s creators were George Haimsohn and Robin Miller (book and lyrics) and Jim Wise (music).
Performances will be on the campus of South Valley Christian Church, 590 Shawnee Lane, San Jose, 95123. Tabard Box Office: 408-679-2230. Ticket prices are $15 for adults, $12 for seniors and $10 for students.
