WINTER PARK — You might have already guessed this, but it turns out that Cole Porter songs and fabulous live voices make for a marvelously entertaining night, so its easy to see why The Winter Park Playhouse would revive the show Gigolo The New Cole Porter Revue for new audiences to discover.
This clever musical by Paul Gilger takes a collection of songs by the legendary composer known for his witty and urbane lyrics, and uses them to create a story about a gigolo who may be a bit too overconfident about his looks and ability to charm upscale ladies. Remember the old line cautioning men not to go to a party and flirt with all the women in the room, because they might end up going home alone? Our urban stud muffin might have benefited from remembering that sage advice.
Gigolo The New Cole Porter Revue is back at the Playhouse for a run that goes through Saturday, April 12. Those familiar, finger-snapping Cole Porter songs haven’t aged one bit in the past century, and his smart dialogue about love is ideally used by Gilger to tell a most smashing and debonair story.
What is the Musical Gigolo?
This show has a unique history with the Playhouse, originally premiering as part of the theater’s Florida Festival Of New Musicals in 2017, which does staged readings of new musicals in development.
In July 2018, the Playhouse brought Gigolo back for a full production, with Zach Nadolski in the lead role as our gigolo. Nadolski, who just performed in the Orlando Shakes’ stunning revival of the Broadway classic Cabaret, is back for a welcome return as the gigolo, along with four fabulous actresses as the rich society girls who fall for him – at first.
While the show clearly honors the lasting legacy of Cole Porter and will be cherished by his devoted fans, Gilger’s adroit concept goes a step further by linking 20+ of Porter’s catchiest songs into an actual story, without the need for dialogue. Porter’s lyrics do that for him and fir the story perfectly. It’s all about a handsome gigolo who overestimates his ability to woo not one, but three elegant ladies in the big city. His skill at telling them “You’re the top! You’re the Coliseum! You’re the top! You’re the Louver Museum” works nicely at first. But when each of the women discovers they’re not his only conquest, things get messy.
And when a new woman arrives on the scene, full of life, energetic and beautiful, suddenly it’s our gigolo who is falling in love. Then things get really complicated.
How is the Winter Park Playhouse Production?
This is the kind of material that the Playhouse has truly perfected over the years, and they certainly don’t disappoint on this one. The set evokes a posh hotel where our gigolo keeps his eye out for ladies certain to be smitten by his charms, and Nadolski not only has a sublime singing voice (his rendition of Porter’s 1929 song “I’m A Gigolo” is pure paradise), but delightful comedic skills whenever he had a mirror in his hand.
Nadolski also has some fabulous talent to collaborate with. Laura Hodos as the New York heiress, Hannah Laird as the Hollywood actress and Patrece Bloomfield as the European Countess who has gone off the wagon but still can’t resist a strong drink, have the kind of comedic skills that make a show like this feel like a celebration over a vintage bottle of champagne. (Beware Hodos, who is a riot as she wanders into the audience to flirt with a man seated in the audience – with his wife!) The fact that all three women, like Nadolski, have voices that are sheer nirvana, makes the show feel even more like a $100,000-a-person dinner party.
And into this situation comes Lizzie Wild, equally charming as the New Girl who turns the entire story on its head. Wild, too, will have you wild over her elegant stage charms.
Director Roy Alan adds in some eye-popping dance moves that are a visual delight. Things may get awfully problematic for our gigolo, but it’s nothing but non-stop pleasure for the audience.
Where Can I see Gigolo Live on Stage?
Gigolo The New Cole Porter Revue is being performed at The Winter Park Playhouse, 711 Orange Ave., Winter Park, now through April 12. The show is 2 hours long, with a 15 minute intermission.
Tickets are $47 for evening shows, $45 for seniors during evening shows, $42 for matinees, and $20 for students between the ages of 15-25, active military and theater industry professionals. Student rush “$10@10” offers $10 tickets for students 25 years and younger will be available 10 minutes prior to a performance when seats are available. Call for special group rates for 10 or more people.
To purchase tickets or for more information, call the box office at 407-645-0145 or log onto at www.winterparkplayhouse.org
Michael Freeman is an Orlando journalist, playwright and author of the terrifying book “Bloody Rabbit”. Contact him at Freelineorlando@gmail.com.
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