Amelia, The Girl Who Wants to Fly: A perfect fit for the 1000 Islands playhouse summer theatre.

Eliza-Jane Scott as Amelia. Photo: Michael Grills Photography. Having seen and enjoyed this production of Amelia, The Girl Who Wants to fly at the GCTC  last  fall, I was looking forward to a second viewing.  Written by John Gray, who also wrote Billy Bishop Goes to War and Rock and Roll, it’s a perfect fit for the 1000 Islands Playhouse’s Firehall.  If anything, it seems to have gotten even stronger.A co-production with the Festival Players of Prince Edward County, this fascinating fact-based three-character musical explores the life and times of Amelia Earhart during the 1930s, the Golden Age of Flight.  As the playwright has said, “It seems to me like a musical with competing narrators, all of them unreliable.”

There are three of them, (narrators that is), all strong actors and singers.  Midge, Amelia’s sister, is played by Karin Randoja in a subtly layered performance, who settles for what she considers a “safe” life.  Her Act II solo, “The Man Who Is Not There,” is very powerful.

Steven Gallagher makes a terrific G. P., George Putnam of the Putnam publishing house. G. P. was an enthusiastic entrepreneur in spite of what he calls “the Lindberg fiasco.”  As Amelia’s husband in a rather peculiar marriage, he managed to turn her into a myth.  He’s especially good in the number “America.”

Eliza-Jane Scott gives a stunning performance as Amelia, a complex woman who wanted to be alone and couldn’t quite figure out how to manage it.  Her Act II blockbuster, “I’ll Be Alone,” is a perfect blend of acting, lyrics and music.

Speaking of music, Michael Barber, music director, has done a wonderful job, especially with the vocal trio arrangements for “At the Air Show,” and “Born to Fly.”  The title song is particularly haunting. Assistant Music Director and Pianist Cameron Moncur does a fine job, in spite of the music director’s nightmare – playing a show with your back to the stage.  The Act I Finale “Take Me Home” is especially strong in all respects, even the doo-wop arrangement.

Jennifer Triemstra’s set works well for the production.  The stage floor platform is backed by three shallow steps leading up to a low upper platform with the piano center, a bookcase and desk stage left and an ironing board and hutch stage right.  I really liked the constant presence of the suitcases.  Miss Triemestra’s costumes are good as well, in particular Amelia’s “Lindy look.” The lighting designed by Raha Javanfar is very subtle and effective.

Sarah Phillips has done a creative job of staging and directing.  The choreography for “The Lindy Look” is fun and I liked her use of model airplanes for the various flights.  She’s made good choices of pre-show and intermission music.  Most of all, she and her first-rate cast have created three very interesting and thoroughly human characters. 

If you’ve never been to the Firehall at the 1000 Islands Playhouse, this would be a perfect time to give it a try. They present some of the best theatre in the area and this is a production of Amelia: the Girl Who Wants to Fly is not to be missed.

1000 Islands Playhouse, Firehall Theatre  June 28 – July 28

www.1000islandsplayhouse.com    866-382-7020

Amelia The Girl Who Wants to Fly   By John Gray

Director: Sarah Phillips

Set & Costumes: Jennifer Triemstra-Johnston

Lighting: Raha Javanfar

Musical Director: Michael Barber

Assistant Musical Director/Pianist: Cameron Moncur

CAST

Amelia: Eliza-Jane Scott

Midge: Karin Randoja

G.P.: Steven Gallagher