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'Carnival!' offers a Big Top's worth of enjoyment Date published: 3/1/2007
BY LUCIA ANDERSON WASHINGTON--What's more fun than a day at the circus? A trip to see "Carnival!" The 1961 musical is enjoying an enchanting revival at the Kennedy Center. This combination of tender love story and grand spectacle will charm and delight audiences of all ages. "Carnival!" is a musical adaptation of the 1953 movie "Lili," which starred Leslie Caron and Mel Ferrer. It's the story of Lili, a naive young girl, recently orphaned, who winds up with a traveling carnival. She is bedazzled by the troupe's silver-tongued magician, Marco the Magnificent, and is delighted to get a job singing in the puppet show. The embittered puppeteer, Paul, was a famous dancer, but he was injured in World War II and can no longer dance. He falls for Lili, but can express his feelings only through the puppets. She, in turn, loves the puppets, not realizing that it is really Paul speaking. The love story plays out amid all the splash and glitter of a circus show. There are acrobats, tumblers, jugglers, aerialists, a snake charmer and a dancing bear, as well as Marco and his lover-assistant, Rosalie. The score has several rousing numbers including the familiar "Love Makes the World Go Round" and the spectacular "Grand Imperial Cirque de Paris." Marco, played to sleazy perfection by Sebastian La Cause, triumphs in the swashbuckling "A Sword and a Rose and a Cape," while Rosalie, also excellently played by Natascia Diaz, belts out her laments in "Humming." Lili and the puppets charm and delight in "Yum Ticky Ticky Tum Tum" and "Beautiful Candy." The cast is universally excellent. Ereni Sevasti, who sings like an angel, is adorable as Lili. Jim Stanek doesn't do as well with Paul--an admittedly difficult role--but he can sing with the best of them. And Michael Arnold gives a fine performance as Jacquot, the sweet clown who befriends Lili. Director and choreographer Robert Longbottom has done a masterful job, and Paul Taze-well's costumes are dazzling. Andrew Jackness has likewise fashioned a wonderful set, bringing this carnival to vivid life. A word of caution to those thinking about taking young children along: They would probably love the show, but they need to be able to sit still for two hours. There is no intermission. Otherwise, there's no downside to this captivating production. Lucia Anderson: 540/374-5405
Date published: 3/1/2007
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