Blank Theatre Company: Sweet Charity Review
Teah Kiang Mirabelli
Blank Theatre Company Presents SWEET CHARITY Review - The Ever Eternal Optimist
TLDR: Leading lady Teah Kiang Mirabelli shines as the star of Sweet Charity, beaming and full of sunshiney optimism as she embarks on her quest for love. Blank’s production is a smaller scale musical that pays homage to Bob Fosse through its many dance numbers.
The cast of Sweet Charity
Blank Theatre’s Shining Star
The overture sounds. The ensemble walks across the stage. The lights come up aaaannndd…..Charity falls into the lake. But not to worry! She is sure her boyfriend was trying to pull her out of the lake and definitely didn’t push her in. She always chooses to look on the bright side of things and remains hopeful that she will find true love one of these days.
Teah Kiang Mirabelli fits the mold for Charity Love Valentine with her sunny disposition as she clasps her hands under her chin and looks hopefully up at the ceiling. Through all the mishaps and blunderous situations Charity finds herself in, there is always a silver lining. The movie star she meets but gets back together with his ex? At least she got a few momentos to show her girlfriends. Got stuck in an elevator for hours after trying to broaden her horizons? Well at least she made a new friend and potential new beau out of it! Mirabelli has an endless supply of energy and smiles from ear to ear as Charity finds the best in every situation. Not to mention her stellar pipes, she is the perfect shining star for Sweet Charity.
When she’s joined by Dustin Rothbart as her new beau, Oscar Lindquist, the pair form a cute, slightly nerdy couple that’s full of that new relationship puppy love. And when she’s accompanied by her two besties at the dance hall, the three form a formidable trio as they dance and sing to “There’s Gotta Be Something Better Than This” and imagine a more fulfilling life outside of being a dancer.
Bright and Colorful Set and Costumes
The cast twirls in brightly colored, mod, 60s inspired fashion. A color blocked lime green and purple dress, a full three piece suit and fedora, a turquoise mini dress with a sheer and flowy overlay as everyday wear. Then when it comes time for the big dance numbers, the cast changes into their loose and flowy clubwear that moves artistically as they dance.
Musical theatre lovers will recognize the iconic moves of Bob Fosse choreography during these numbers. At the Pompeii Club, Madison Jaffe-Richter walks down center stage twirling her wrists and hair and the rest of the cast joins her for the “Rich Man’s Frug.” The cast moves across the stage with their legs stretched in front of them and leaning back creating those long visual lines.
With a minimal set and playing in one of the Greenhouse’s blackboxes, creative set design choices make it seem like Sweet Charity is a great show to produce on a smaller scale. A neon rainbow sign is hung declaring we’re at the Fandango club where we meet Charity’s fellow co-workers at the dance hall. There’s no lake for Charity to be pushed into, but helpful stage hands hold up a sign declaring “Splash!” when she falls in. Onlookers hold up balloons with “Coney Island” emblazoned on them as we stare up at Charity and Oscar stuck on the ferris wheel. And when it’s time for intermission we get the classic “To Be Continued…” sign sitting center stage while we wait to find out what happens next.
Teah Kiang Mirabelli and Dustin Rothbart
The After Party Thoughts
Mirabelli is a force to be reckoned with as she maintains the same high level of energy throughout the whole show and being on stage for more than half of the musical numbers. That alone makes it worth seeing Sweet Charity. To me there were some moments where a punchline or joke didn’t hit or was missed, so that was a disappointment because I could tell what it needed to be and it just didn’t land.
All in all, if you’re looking for a larger scale musical that hits every mark perfectly, this production might not be the one for you. However if you love the original work, Bob Fosse, or just want a fun and upbeat night out, this production of Sweet Charity would be a great fit for you!
RECOMMENDED
When
Now through June 8, 2025
Where
Greenhouse Theater Center
2257 N Lincoln Ave.
Chicago, IL 60614
Runtime: 2hrs 30min, including an intermission
Tickets
$22+
Tickets can be purchased through the Blank Theatre Company website
Photos
Steve Townshend/Distant Era
The cast of Sweet Charity
CAST
Teah Kiang Mirabelli (Charity Valentine)
Kelcy Taylor (Nickie)
India Huy (Helene)
Dustin Rothbart* (Oscar Lindquist)
Eldon Warner Soriano (Vittorio Vidal)
Damondre Green (Daddy Brubeck)
Patty Roache (Herman)
Ciara Jarvis (Ursula/Ensemble)
Andrew John Baker (Ensemble)
Eli Gorman (Ensemble)
Daniel Hurst (Ensemble)
Dijon Kirkland (Ensemble)
Madison Jaffe-Richter (Ensemble/"Frug" Lead)
Melody Rowland (Ensemble)
Ciara Jarvis (u/s Charity)
Andrew John Baker (u/s Oscar)
Madison Jaffe-Richter (u/s Nickie)
Melody Rowland (u/s Helene)
Jake Elkins (u/s Vittorio/Herman)
Richaun Stewart (u/s Daddy)
Joel Arreola (Swing)
Maya Hillman (Swing)
The cast of Sweet Charity
CREATIVE
Johanna McKenzie Miller (Director)
Aaron Kaplan (Music Director)
Lauryn Schmelzer (Choreography)
Kyle Aschbrenner (Stage Manager)
Danny Kapinos (Assoc. Music Director)
Cindy Moon (Costume Designer)
Ellie Humphrys (Lighting Designer)
Amy Gillman (Scenic Designer)
Abby Gillette (Props Designer)
Jamie Macpherson (Intimacy Choreographer)
Line Bower (Technical Director)