Army stage show is double the fun

By Joseph T. Rozmiarek
Advertiser Drama Critic

•	Gilbert and Sullivan What: "Cox and Box" and "Trial By Jury" When: 2 p.m. Sundays Where: Richardson Theatre, Fort Shafter Ticket: $8 Information: 438-4480

It's a bunch that loves the rollicking bounce of comic operetta, with its preposterous plots and inflated characters, dry wit, and droll charm. But it can become an inbred group, where admission requires devotion — if not preoccupation — to the nuances and pomposity that make up the repertoire.

So, the initial test of a production is whether it's accessible beyond the inner corps of G&S groupies, and that it doesn't consume itself with self-congratulatory Jack Hornerism.

The concert, staged by Cecilia and Hank Fordham as part of the Army Community Theatre Sunday afternoon Readers Theater series, opens its doors to a good time without a hint of pretension.

It also goes one better by including "Cox and Box," Arthur Sullivan's 1866 collaboration with F.C. Burnand, in a double bill with "Trial By Jury," Sullivan's one-act written about 10 years later with W.S. Gilbert.

Both works are meant to be inherently silly. In this version, each plays about 40 minutes.

In "Box and Cox," an enterprising landlord (Steve Wagenseller) doubles his profit by renting the same room to a Mr. Cox (Dennis Proulx), who works days, and a Mr. Box (Kalani Brady), who works nights. When Mr. Cox gets an unexpected day off, the two lodgers discover the ploy.

They also discover they've both been engaged to the same woman and — ultimately, that they're long-lost brothers.

Brady sings a lovely "Lullaby," Wagenseller wrings out the comedy from the landlord, and Proulx is delightfully self-absorbed as the righteous Mr. Cox.

Some of the plot brought on by the unseen fiancee's reported demise are a bit difficult to follow, but the singers make up for it with personal charm — particularly on their nonsense trio that brings on the finale.

While "Box and Cox" remains intimate, "Trial by Jury" fills the stage with 20 singers — most of them in the chorus.

This work satirizes the British legal system via a breach-of-promise suit. Brady appears again as the reluctant groom, with Stephanie Conching as the jilted bride and John Hunt as the presiding judge. Paul Beck is featured as the Counsel.

Conching's bride is sweetly demure, Brady's groom is clueless and proud, and after some difficulty with the lyrics, Hunt saves the day as judge by claiming the bride for himself.

The real delight in the staging, however, comes from close proximity to the cast. With everyone, audience included, sharing the stage at Richardson Theatre, the singers are only inches away. Unamplified, natural voices are a treat to hear, and when 20 of them crescendo under Hank Fordham's baton, everyone is awash with music.

Accompaniment comes from a single keyboard.

Whether you are a fan of Gilbert and Sullivan or simply want to learn more about the style, there are two more Sundays left to try out this delightful double bill.