‘Baker’s Wife’: lively, charming

By STEPHANIE OTTEY

YOUNGSTOWN — With a creative team of Joseph Stein and Stephen Schwartz (“Wicked,” “Godspell”) at the helm, “The Baker’s Wife” seems like a surefire success, but it has never been performed on Broadway.

But because of a strong cult following, it has been performed in regional theaters around the world. Add Youngstown State University Theater to that list.

“The Baker’s Wife” opened Thursday at YSU’s Ford Theater, under the direction of Frank Castronovo.

It is a sterling example of what a strong ensemble can do for a show. Though there is an obvious leading lady accompanied by two leading men, the chorus of unforgettable characters that support them is what makes this production exceptionally enjoyable.

Castronovo creates a village of varying personalities that any viewer can relate to. From the philandering mayor to the bickering neighbors, the town is full of life and daily drama that keeps the momentum of the show going.

The play is set in a small French town that has been without bread for weeks after the death of its only baker. The villagers rejoice when a new baker arrives, and one young man named Dominique falls quickly in love with the baker’s young and beautiful bride. He wastes no time in winning her over, and soon the baker’s wife leaves her doting husband for Dominique.

Crushed, the baker is incapable of making bread. Desperate to restore the baker’s good spirits (and in the process, the delicious treats he makes), the villagers put aside all of their differences to find Genevieve and bring her home.

Shawna Jones, who exposed her acting skills last season in YSU’s “Almost, Maine,” now reveals her vocal talent as she opens the show with “Chanson.” As the wife of the caf owner, Jones is warm and inviting while she offers the audience its first glimpse into the village. Castronovo couldn’t have chosen a more perfect way of starting to tell the charming story.

We then quickly meet Claude, her husband (Zachary Campbell), the village spinster (Laura Young) and the other villagers. Joseph Croft and Joe Pascarella are the bickering neighbors who display the makeup magic of Jane Shanabarger and her technicians, Courtney Slater and William Zayas. The two young actors are completely disguised by great performances and faux facial hair that alone deserves applause.

YSU veterans David Munnell, Brandon Smith and Patrick McGuire are a delightfully disagreeing trio who seem to be having as much fun on stage as the audience is having watching them.

Munnell, the priest, uses his costume for inspiration as he whirls around on stage, while Smith, the mayor, delivers laugh after laugh with his “nieces.”

These characters are beautifully united through the choreography of Christine Cobb, who has created many visually stimulating moments, especially throughout songs such as “Bread” and “The World’s Luckiest Man.”

The cast is unified as a group, but each individual character is clear and defined throughout the dances, giving the audience plenty to watch and enjoy.

Not to be forgotten are the central characters: the baker, his wife and her lover. Ben Reiter and Deanna Scott are vocally suited for their roles as baker and wife and create their kind and simple characters well.

However, despite his makeup, Reiter does little to reinforce the age of the baker. Reiter captures the baker’s vitality, but he lacks the maturity of a well-seasoned man. Vaughn Schmidt couldn’t be more suited for his role. His interpretation of “Proud Lady” is both vocally impressive and humorous.

With Nancy Wolfgang and Anthony Ruggiero taking on the score and music direction, the live pit orchestra has never sounded better. There is a distinct cohesion between the musicians and actors that has been missing in past YSU musical productions.

“The Baker’s Wife” may not have illuminated Broadway, but it certainly sits nicely on the YSU stage.

X“The Baker’s Wife” will be performed this weekend at 7:30 p.m. today and 3 p.m. Sunday; and also at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 20 and 21, and 3 p.m. Nov. 22. Ford Theater is in Youngstown State University’s Bliss Hall, on Wick Avenue. Call (330) 941-3105 for reservations.