This delightfully silly visit to Hollywood in the 1930s is sure to be a crowd pleaser for the Co-Op. Matt Lutz and Gwen Hollander delight as smalltown movie fans Elmo and Ellie (he wants to write screenplays, she wants to be a star) who meet cute and bicycle cross country to NGN (not a typo) studios where fame awaits.

TV star Lutz and regional theater vet Hollander (the perky Amy in the excellent recent Little Women tour) are wonderful musical comedy performers and fine singers, surrounded by a scene stealing supporting cast led by the wow-worthy Gina D’Acciaro as Bertha (the loudest belter in Hollywood history), Robert Marra superbly channeling Gene Kelly as handsome hoofer Danny (who just may have an eye for the chorus boys–daring stuff for the Co-Op), Stephen Van Dorn showing off his gorgeous operatic tenor with prosthetic nose and hair (head and chest) as goofy Tony (wait for his act 2 surprise!), statuesque stunner Suzanne Friedline deliciously campy as movie queen Lulu Beauveen (love that name!), Gus Corrado suitably rattled as studio head Norman G. Neistein, and the hilariously quirky mugging of Diana Georger as Tinseltown gossip reporter Adele DeRale.

Snaps to choreographer Alison Bibicoff for the 30s dance moves and to musical director Carson Schutze (not missing a note!) at the piano. And of course, none of this lunacy would be there without the inspired direction of Jeff Maynard. Tales of Tinseltown is a winner all the way.

Actors Co-Op Crossley Terrace Theatre, 1769 N. Gower St., Hollywood.
www.actorsco-op.org

–Steven Stanley
May 11, 2007