In Review

‘Conch Republic The Musical’ Is Hilarious History

By C.S. Gilbert

 

Happy 33rd anniversary, Conch Republic! In celebration, all week there have been flag-raisings, royal investitures, military musters and merriment almost beyond measure, dampened not a bit (as the late Sir Peter Anderson would wish) by a memorial to the tiny island nation’s most energetic, successful and beloved publicizer at Key West Cemetery yesterday.

The story of the republic’s history is nowhere better told (with a good deal more accuracy than the Conch Train) than in Key West Fringe’s “Conch Republic The Musical!” This third annual production opens tonight and runs tomorrow, Saturday and Sunday at 8 p.m. at the San Carlos; it’s clever, very funny, well acted, sung and danced and absolutely a mandatory history class for anyone who claims to be a citizen of the Conch Republic.

 

The first happy surprise is that the magical Gayla Morgan, composer, lyricist, arranger, musical director and on-stage accompanist of the show (Producing Artistic Director Monnie King did the book), returned to Key West from the Great White Way for this production.

The next surprise is that, even after seeing the show twice before, it still seemed fresh and new, perhaps because this creme puff is not designed for serious digestion. “Key West Way” is a tune that will accompany you out off the San Carlos, but otherwise the show is mostly just plain fun, albeit with some lively new technical effects and, as indicated, some serious history.

Last year’s cast deservedly reprises their roles, and how can one go wrong with J.B. McClendon, David Black and Laurie Breakwell fresh off their over the top triumph in the Waterfront’s “Spamalot”? Add (in alpha order) G. William “Billy” Cartledge, Kyle Caskey, Tony Konrath, Michael McCabe and Annie Miners and failure is impossible. Except for McLendon as a convincingly young Mayor Dennis Wardlaw, all play multiple roles and do it well.

Special praise is due Leigh Pujado for the choreography, which is really grand.

Cheers, too, to the crew, two dozen of them, led by Stage Director Rebecca Tomlinson, Stage Manager Rebecca Porter and House Manager/Box Office Elizabeth Birminghan and Lisa McCarthy, with lights and sound designed by RJ Conn and Dan Simpson and run by Ozlem and Joe Berg. All do a hell of a job. Scene design remains the postcards of Dahlia Woods and Rick Worth.

All in all “Conch Republic the Musical” really deserves to be incorporated into the official anniversary celebration. Everyone should know the heroic (and maybe just a little self-serving) brilliance that led to the creation of the Sovereign State of Mind, Big Kids’ Camp or the state of Growing Up Disgracefully, to quote only a few of the wonderful anniversary themes designed by Sir Peter and his throng of very merry men and women. Everyone should be required to see this show at least once. Maybe every year.

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