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Some weak acting hampers great singing in Top Hat’s ‘Leap of Faith’
By Eric McCrea
Struthers
Sometimes, the biggest changes in our lives just require us to have a little faith in one another. You can find that and much more in Top Hat’s latest production, “Leap of Faith”.
A Broadway musical based on the movie of the same name, this show certainly can be seen as gimmicky, trying to cash in on the reinvigorated popularity of live theater. The songs are hastily written and feel like a forced fit with the story.
When the swindling evangelical Rev. Jonas Nightingale (Joshua Noble) and his traveling choir break down in a small town, they begin their three-day plan to fleece the unsuspecting locals, who badly need rain — and a few other miracles. Things get complicated when the town’s sheriff Marla McGowan (Brandy Johanntges), let’s the reverend know she won’t tolerate his shenanigans, especially when it comes to her son, Jake, played by Michael Appugliese. But it is young Jake, and his loyalty to Jonas, that changes everything.
Par for the course with Top Hat Productions, the show featured several actors with incredible voices but weak acting skills.
Particularly guilty of this is Tae’Shawn Madison, who plays preacher-in-the-making Isaiah Sturdevant. His singing voice is amazing; he proved himself with the song “Walk Like Daddy.” Otherwise, he doesn’t seem to know what to do with himself on stage. Noble, as the lead male, also struggled with this issue. He is vocally strong, but his acting performance was bland. His middle-of-the-road approach diminished the dramatic change his character experiences, and his ability to hold interest suffered due to his lack of vitality.
He often was upstaged by an impressive ensemble. An improvement for this venue, the group numbers were confident, well-rehearsed and had precise timing with their songs and choreography. Particularly impressive were Julie Palumbo, Isaiah Shelton and Ezekial Ellis, who has an uncanny ability to sell every second of his performance with enthusiasm.
The great choir was led by the incomparable Carla Gipson. Her subtle, internal, matronly struggle to keep the peace was palpable, and her voice will affect you deeply.
Johanntges was beyond capable as the sheriff. The role is almost too small to hold her talent, but she handles the confinement with grace. Vocally, she made the mediocre song “Long Past Dreaming” worth hearing, and she seemed to make other actors sound better. When harmonizing with Johanntges, other actors became more accurate.
Also notable were Alleah Karon Triplett as the choir director’s daughter, Rachel Franek as Nightingale’s sister, and Appugliese as the show’s beacon of hope.
There were some microphone issues that were hard to look past. One wonders if Top Hat can perform without them.
At times, the orchestra was hard to hear over the ensemble, which may have been the cause of a few sour notes.
“Leap of Faith” runs at 8 p.m. Friday, Saturday and March 20 and 21 at the Fairview Arts and Outreach Center. For reservations, call 800-838-3006, or visit tophatproductions.org.