The Sun Times "Ugly" Review

***note that I am now Michael KING...hmmm. At least I got mentioned.

'Sleeping Ugly' sits pretty as whimsical tale
May 18, 2006
BY MARY HOULIHAN Staff Reporter


"Happily ever after" takes on new meaning in Griffin Theatre's world premiere of "Sleeping Ugly: The Musical." Adapted by William Massolia from Jane Yolen's popular children's picture book, it is a funny, engaging and subversive retelling of a classic fairy tale.
Children and adults alike will find plenty to love in this musical, Griffin's first in its 17-year existence. "Sleeping Ugly" joins a long line of successful Griffin adaptations for the younger set and their parents, including "Ella Enchanted," "Stardust" and "Angus, Thongs and Full Frontal Snogging."
The production works on all levels. Director Richard Barletta allows his six-actor cast to embrace this band of quirky characters with a whimsical greed; George Howe's smart songs have a touch of satire that add layers to the storytelling.

THEATER REVIEW
'SLEEPING UGLY: THE MUSICAL'RECOMMENDED
When: Through June 25 Where: Theatre Building Chicago, 1225 W. Belmont Tickets: $15-$24 Call: (773) 327-5252

Best suited for children ages 5-8 years, the 75-minute musical opens with an introduction by Toad, a cigar-chomping, eyeglass-wearing creature decked out in a plaid coat, green tights and two-tone shoes (Matthew Lon Walker has his toadly manners down pat). Disgusted with the human obsession with beauty, not to mention all those frogs waking up sleeping princesses, he narrates a story about an out-of-kilter royal family.
Within this family dwells the beautiful, but oh so self-important Princess Miserella (a perfectly snotty Colleen McSherry), who rules those around her with a mean-spirited, surly gusto.
"I'm a fabulous princess, not like the rest," she crows as she subjects her servants to tantrums and foot-stomping demands. She is about to learn that "it's what inside that counts."
One day after decreeing that all flowers in the land be destroyed (just in case they are thought prettier than her), Miserella finds herself lost in the forest. There she meets a fairy godmother (a comically perfect Jill Hames) and her rival, the slightly goofy Plain Jane (a pleasing Leah Morrow), who, of course, loves animals and flowers, all the things Miserella hates. Will her lighthearted goodness be the undoing of Miserella?
Needless to say, things don't work out well when Miserella rubs the fairy the wrong way. Sleeping spells, a handsome prince and a logical choice keep the musical interesting to the very end.
Howe, who has scored and written songs for many children's shows at Lifeline Theatre, has a talent for creating songs that appeal to a wide audience. He wraps his clever lyrics around a variety of popular musical styles, with a gospel-tinged finale dealing with the fate of the sleeping Miserella that's particularly good.
A nod must be given to Steve Best and Michael King, who convincingly play a dizzy array of characters (servants, leprechauns, animals), each with their own peculiar manners. J Branson's whimsical storybook set is the perfect backdrop, and William Morey's costumes add a colorful dimension to the storytelling.
All in all, "Sleeping Ugly" is a fine package for theatergoers of all ages.
mhoulihan@suntimes.com