‘Desperate Measures,’ ‘Sounds of Soul’: Winter Park Playhouse ready for next step | Commentary
I stopped by Winter Park Playhouse on Thursday afternoon to catch its revival of “Desperate Measures,” the musical comedy it last presented to acclaim in 2019.
You would forgive the Playhouse if this production were to falter: The top execs are urgently working with city officials to find a new home for the theater when its current lease runs out at the end of the 2024 season. It’s a huge project that will likely result in a brand-new theater.
But I’m happy to report that the average audience member wouldn’t realize there were any distractions behind the scenes, based on the onstage merriment.
“Desperate Measures,” loosely based on Shakespeare’s “Measure for Measure,” is set in the American Old West and boasts a silly plot about a corrupt governor, an uptight nun, a charismatic outlaw, a doubting priest, a good-guy sheriff and a good-time saloon gal.
David Friedman’s catchy tunes and Peter Kellogg’s zippy book generate lots of laughs, even on a repeat viewing.
I raved about the 2019 production, which made my year-end list of best shows and won Roy Alan the Critic’s Pick Award for best direction of a comedy. Alan’s back, so is music director Christopher Leavy’s country-infused band, and new and returning cast members blend seamlessly to make this a rootin’ tootin’ romp.
The fact that “Desperate Measures” is presented with such quality while theater leadership is deep into planning for a new home and the necessary accompanying major fundraiser speaks to the caliber of the Playhouse — and the importance of finding it a new home.
In its current space, the Playhouse has grown artistically about as much as it can. To elevate its art even more is going to take a bigger and more versatile stage and musician area, as well as updated technology for lighting, etc. In other words, an upgrade — and this is the moment to take action and do it.
Meanwhile, the Playhouse carries on with its mission of serving the whole community. A recording of Disney singer-musician Carol Stein’s May cabaret is available to view online through June 5; the recordings of the theater’s cabaret series became popular during the COVID-19 pandemic and have continued.
And on June 8, as a pre-Juneteenth celebration, the Playhouse has teamed with Barbara Chandler Productions to present “Sounds of Soul,” a unique program of storytelling through spirituals, drumming, dance and spoken word.
Headliner Curtis Branson will perform gospel songs alongside spoken-word artist Jason Tie Davis and Ajose Afrikan Drum and Dance, which features dancer Desiree Coleman and Osabi and Oba Ogunlani on the drums.
Producer Chandler was born in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, and has spent the last decade as the manager and cultural arts educator of the Hannibal Square Heritage Center in Winter Park, while also organizing community and cultural celebrations.
She explains the idea behind the art forms that make up “Sounds of Soul”: “Gospel is sung as a way to uplift the spirit and activate faith. Drumming along with chants and dancing are ways to communicate. Storytelling is an oral tradition used to preserve history, educate and instill values and morals in Black communities.”
The show will be at 7:30 p.m. June 8 (doors open at 6:30), and the cost is $20 plus a drink from the bar.
‘Desperate Measures’
Length: 2:20, including intermission
Where: Winter Park Playhouse, 711 Orange Ave. in Winter Park
When: Through June 11
Cost: $20-$46
Info: winterparkplayhouse.org
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