Theater Review: Expressing Willie ... a little dance, a little song and a lot of laughs

 J. Woody Lotts, Alyssa Kay photo by Christine Mosere

Expressing Willie

By Rachel Crothers

Directed by Christine Mosere

The Phoenix Theatre

December 4 – 20, 2015

Review by Victoria Gilleland

What a fun production! Expressing Willie takes us back to 1924, to the “Roaring Twenties” and all it represents: Flappers, The Charleston, Bathtub Gin, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and the Excesses of the Rich and Famous. Who doesn’t enjoy a peek at such flamboyant decadence …. especially when it’s presented in such an entertaining way?

In addition to being a terrific comedic adventure, Expressing Willie explores the challenge of finding oneself and identifying personal values. Perhaps this subject is more topical today than it was 91 years ago! The action takes place in the living room of a Long Island mansion owned by Willie Smith, an obscenely rich toothpaste tycoon who got where he is with the encouragement of his ambitious mother. Mother lives with him in the new mansion.

Willie wants to break into New York Society. To that end he invites some of the rich and famous to join him for a weekend at his mansion. Being the controlling mother that she is, and without telling Willie, Mrs. Smith invites his sweet former girlfriend, Minnie from “Tuckersville” to join the other guests for the weekend. You get the feeling that Mom has an ulterior motive!

When Minnie hears the other guests discussing the need to find one’s inner self and to be free, she at first resists. She eventually buys in as she discovers she has a much admired musical talent. Taliaferro, the artist, offers to help Minnie with this self-discovery and to connect with the right people who can help her develop her career as a musician. Minnie wants Willie to share in this exploration of self and for him to find out what he really values and what truly matters in his life. Willie, like his wealthy guests, is reluctant to take on the challenge and responsibilities. What will happen?

The entire cast is to be commended on a job well done! Minnie’s innocent naivety is perfectly portrayed by the lovely Alyssa Kay. Among the high society guests is Taliaferro, an eccentric artist flamboyantly depicted by the talented Melanie Calderwood. Frances, the gorgeous divorcee who sees Willie as her next rich husband, is played with just the right amount of arrogant confidence by Madison Rengli.

There are misunderstandings, near misses, sudden awakenings and discoveries.  All this keeps the attention of the audience, and the plot lively.

The set is simple but cleverly accommodates needed scene changes. Costume design is important. Arin Larson did a stellar job with the costuming, which tells so much about each character in the show.

Enjoy an evening of light entertainment at the intimate Phoenix Theatre located at Firdale Village in Edmonds. There’s a little dance, a little song and a lot of laughs!

To use an expression from the 1920s:  Expressing Willie is “The Bees Knees!” That means it’s good … really good!

The Phoenix Theatre, 9673 Firdale Ave, Edmonds, 206-533-2000.

Buy tickets here