By Sabina Clarke
Father David Cregan returns to the Villanova stage after a 13 year hiatus in the leading role as Detective Frank Coffi in Kander and Ebb’s musical murder mystery Curtains.
Curtains opens in 1959 with the mysterious death of a Broadway-bound show’s leading lady which makes everyone a potential suspect to Detective Frank Coffi who is determined to solve the murder and rehabilitate the show he has become a part of in time for its Broadway opening.
Cregan delivers a standout nuanced performance as Detective Frank Coffi the haplessly distracted theater loving stage-struck detective who sniffs out clues while singing and donning tap shoes,
The production reminiscent of the golden age of musicals with its incandescent song and dance routines also marks the return to the Director’s Chair of University President Reverend Peter Donohue after a twelve year hiatus who commented “It’s been incredibly fun to return to the stage for the first time since 2012 and direct the first musical in the spectacular new Topper Theatre”
The entire ensemble comprised of current graduate and undergraduate students, alumni, faculty and staff featuring campus minister Meghan Dietzler as starry –eyed ingénue Niki and current graduate students Erin Coffman and Brian Jacko as the composer lyricist duo whose shared professional and married lives are on the rocks is top notch with impressive song and dance routines christening the fabulous new 400 seat Topper Theater in the $60 million Joan Mullen Center for the Performing Arts.
Kudos and bouquets are also in order for Scenic Designer Colin McIlvaine; Lighting Designer, Jerold R. Forsyth; Production Dramaturg Nicholas Ecker; Choreographer Kevin Dietzler; Costume Designer Janus Stefanowicz; Sound Designer Michael Kiley; Stage Manager Crys Clemente and Music Director Peter A. Hilliard.
This is a show you do not want to miss!