Brookwrite
Theatre - Directing
Pacifica, California
July 30 - August 29, 2004
Lucky Stiff was the sixth production, fifth musical, I directed in California.
This late 1980s musical comedy is about a young British shoe salesman who learns he's inherited six million dollars from an unknown uncle in Atlantic City. But to get the money, he must take the uncle to Monte Carlo. Yes, the dead uncle.
While there, he is pursued by the uncle's mistress, her brother (who she framed for his murder), a woman from the uncle's favorite charity, and others.
Interesting tidbits:
- The show was featured in an episode of Regards to Broadway on local TV, August 10. I was interviewed, four songs were performed. I was sick, continuing my streak of debilitated TV interviews for shows.
- The composer/lyricist team (Stephen Flaherty and Mary Ahrens) also wrote Ragtime, Once On This Island, My Favorite Year, Seussical, A Man of No Importance, Dessa Rose, and more.
- Rarely performed, I first saw Stiff in grad school at Carnegie Mellon University, performed by Scotch 'n' Soda.
- We began with a cast of seventeen. Through various extraordinary circumstances, additions and subtractions, the show opened with fifteen and closed with thirteen. It would make a great novel someday, if it didn't incriminate some people so much.
Pacifica Tribune:
- "Zany toe-tapping and seriously silly, theater gem 'Lucky Stiff'..."
- "... a light-hearted musical for folks who just want to have fun."
- "Under the sturdy direction of Doug Brook, absurdity and tenderness are often caught in the same sentence and well delivered."
- "With this production's obvious visual of most actors as entertained as they are entertaining, it is clear that a good deal of love went into this Brook vision."
- "... director Brook and his cast shake out any audience blues with a charming romp through music, merriment and a last will and testament to have yourself some fun."
- Full Review
- Preview Article -- Pacifica Tribune
From Regards to Broadway:
