A Plus for Alice – a review of “A…My Name is Still Alice”

By Michael Buzzelli

In 1983, a musical revue (with some comedic sketches) premiered under the name, “A… My Name is Alice.” The title was taken by the ABC game/rhyme, frequently sung on playgrounds across America. Now, Joan Micklin Silver and Julianne Boyd are back with “A…My Name is Still Alice,” a sequel of sorts…i.e. another musical revue (with some comedic sketches).

Side note: There is a follow-up called, “My Name Will Always Be Alice,” which is a combination of the two previous revues.

Five actors, Natalie Hatcher, Kristiann Menotiades, Delilah Picart, Saige Smith and Becki Toth play various roles (the two understudies Michaela Isenberg and Maya Fullard show up in the grand finale).

The mood and theme shift with each song, from laugh-out-loud funny to melancholy and back again.

While there’s no plot. There is a point. It’s a poignant and humorous look at women’s roles in the 90s. One scathing sketch has Toth playing a doctor who treats a problem men might have with the condescension and flippancy a male doctor would treat a genealogical illness. It’s hilarious and brilliant, and Toth ekes out every scrap of humor in her portrayal.

The five stars of the show are amazing.

The aforementioned Toth shines in every role. Her comedic timing is flawless, and her singing is noteworthy.

Smith is charismatic and charming, lighting up the stage every time she trods the boards. There is a powerful moment where Smith and Toth play mother and daughter facing a crisis in the song, “What Did I Do Right,” that is particularly moving.

Menotiades shines in “A Lovely Little Life.”

Hatcher is another gifted comedic actor who is an accomplished singer. While she is delightful in every scene, she brings the house down in the finale like a Broadway Belter.

Picart is delightfully madcap, especially in a song called, “Sensitive New Age Men” where she pulls Doug Levine and the band into the action.

Levine and company, Paul Thompson and Lindsey Lamagna are fantastic musicians who work tirelessly throughout the show.

Nancy McNulty McGeever makes her directorial debut with Front Porch Theatricals. She does an amazing job, putting her actors everywhere on the stage, utilizing every inch of the scenery.

“A…My Name is Still Alice” is giving off a distinct 90s vibe. Jonmichael Bohach’s scenic design is Glendale Galeria meets “Saved By the Bell,” complete with turquoise and purple swirl found on cineplex soda cups, t-shirts and whatnot (Google Designer Gina Ekiss of the Sweetheart/Solo Cup company if you want to spiral down a bizarre 90s-themed rabbit hole).

While some of the show is unnecessarily prop heavy, there is brilliant moment in the song, “Wheels,” where Smith pulls a cloth headband from her hair and uses it to simulate handlebars on a bicycle.  McGeever and choreographer Ashley Harmon infuse the scene joyous abandon, and Smith plays it with childlike exuberance.

The show is PG-13. The one F-bomb was mimed silently on opening night, but the case can be made for bringing your children to see this show. In a world where ‘Roe v. Wade’ is being repealed, and football players are giving reprehensible graduation speeches about keeping women barefoot and pregnant, “A…My Name is Still Alice” might be the elixir we need.

-MB

“A…My Name is Still Alice” runs from May 17 to May 26 at the New Hazlett Theatre, 6 Allegheny Square East, Pittsburgh, PA 15212. For more information, click here.