directed and choreographed by
Andrew Palermo

musical direction
Roger Grodsky

February 2009

Winner of Five Cincinnati Enquirer
Acclaim Awards

We all yearn for great productions of great musicals. But there’s really nothing better than settling in at a so-so musical and falling in love.

The production I am officially in love with is Two Gentlemen of Verona, College-Conservatory of Music’s late winter musical. Palermo, ’95 CCM grad, returns to direct and choreograph, and he delivers an exhilarating, genuine romp.

Two Gents is exuberant from its opening moments, which is very hard work. Palermo the choreographer has the show constantly in motion, so we feel it’s youthful drive. He doesn’t repeat himself as his stand-up-and-cheer ensemble whirls through dance styles that celebrate the Seventies even as it’s all breathlessly up-to-date.

I don’t know if his triple-threat leading lady Lauren Sprague let him take things up a notch. What I can tell you is her second act opener would look right at home on Broadway.

The comic sensibility and characters are wonderfully defined and enhanced by the costumer Reba Senske, a Cincinnati theater hall of famer.

The student ensemble sounds as good as it looks, under the always masterful musical direction of Roger Grodsky.

Cincinnati Enquirer