Alison Fraser in RANCHO CUCAMONGA reading today

[BroadwayDoc]

Posted: 12/8/05 at 7:31pm

I had the chance to attend a reading of a new musical titled RANCHO CUCAMONGA this afternoon at the Producer's Club starring the amazing Alison Fraser. Sadly, she was about the only thing amazing about it. The song promised to be "the never-ending misguided and wacky adventures of a single mother, Maxine and Elliot, her ten-year old son." Which basically means if you saw such films as MERMAIDS, TUMBLEWEEDS or ANYWHERE BUT HERE, you basically know the story. This time around though the "adult" child in question is a male. The creative team was as follows: Book & Lyrics by J. Matthew Riopelle (who also starred as Older Elliot, more on that later) and Rob Gerlach (who along with James McDonald & David Vos wrote SOMETHING'S AFOOT which played on Broadway for 61 performances back in 1976.) Additional Lyrics were also credit to Rob Gerlach and music was by another newcomer Clint Edwards. Musical direction was by Steven Silverstein and Sheryl Kaller directed it. The full cast included: Alison Fraser, Sebastian La Cause, Adam Heller, J. Matthew Riopelle, Gene Biscontini, Lisa Adams, Jenny Eisenhower and Jaygee Macapugay. My first problem with the piece was that it was extremely predictable. Like I said earlier, we've seen this story a million times, this time with just a little URINETOWN element to it. The music was good, not amazing, but serviceable. Which is more than I can say for the lyrics. Director Sheryl Kaller moved the show along well with good pacing, but it was just bogged down with a poor book and weak lyrics. That being said. I must say Alison Fraser was amazing! It was just too bad she was given such bad material. It was at some times thrilling to watch her rise above the material. Adam Heller, who is amazing in a Chip Zien-like mode was given the thankless part of a real estate agent named Norbert and poor Sebastian La Cause (from Broadway's THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW and currently seen in LOVE, VALOR & COMPASSION) was given the poor stereotype role of sexy Mexican plumber named, what else, Carlos. And no, I'm not making this up. This brings me to the other lead writer/lyricist J. Matthew Riopelle as older Eliot. What amazes me with all the talent in New York (Paging Michael Arden!) why was this guy playing a role that was pivotal to the story line? He had basically 2 expressions (playful or a complete look of shock). Luckily, he did not have to interact with most of the cast members until the end. All in all, it was just a reading. It will be interesting to see what happens with it.





Updated On: 12/8/05 at 07:31 PM

[Unknown User]

Posted: 12/8/05 at 7:33pm

Am I right in assuming the show takes it name from the California city?

[best12bars]

Posted: 12/8/05 at 7:42pm

BroadwayDoc --- Thanks for sharing that review. Being in L.A., when I read the title I cringed. It's like "Oxnard - The Musical" or "Simi Valley Sings!"

I too love Alison Fraser and wish she'd come back to the boards soon! (Since she sometimes reminds me of a young Glynnis Johns, I would love to see her play Mrs. Banks when "Mary Poppins" hits New York... just for the uncanny factor).

Well... this show sounds like a mess with good intentions. I always say, no matter what the genre, you have to start out with a compelling story... and I think they missed right away with Step One. It's been done before, better, and fresher. Ooops. Not exactly something I'd race to musicalize, but okay.

Since most people don't even know (or probably care) where Rango Cucamonga is... (hell, sometimes even I don't)... Do you see this as potientialy working for any sort of larger audiences? From what you said so far, it seems doubtful.

[BroadwayDoc]

Posted: 12/8/05 at 7:49pm

12Bars - It definitely felt like a rush job. The characters really needed to be fleshed out better. They were all bad stereotypes. I firmly believe that almost anything can work if you have the right talent behind it. I do stress the word "almost". I hate to say this but it also felt like a vanity piece for Mr. Riopelle with Alison Fraser being the star. If maybe they had hired someone like Michael Arden or even John Hill who could have brought a bit more warmth to the role it could have masked the flaws better.
Updated On: 12/8/05 at 07:49 PM

[AuditioningWaitress]

Posted: 12/8/05 at 7:50pm

Sad to hear. Alison Fraser is such a talent!

[Anne_here]

Posted: 12/8/05 at 8:02pm

I did an equity showcase not too long ago and the composer put himself in one of the lead roles, although he wasn't the right type. He was over 40(and looked it) and the part was of a 30 year old man. Sometimes I don't think they can see that they aren't right, because it literally is their "baby".

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 12/8/05 at 8:06pm

I was offered tickets to this reading but couldn't accept because of work. Too bad it is not very good. Ms. Fraser is a great talent and deserves a top-notch vehicle.

[BroadwayDoc]

Posted: 12/8/05 at 8:15pm

Anne - I agree, it just amazes me that with not only the top notch talent that they assembled and all the amazing talent here in New York, they could not find someone of substance to be the "backbone" so to speak of this piece.

Melissa Errico Fan - I completely agree with you. Alison Fraser is an amazing talent.

[tappingirl]

Posted: 12/9/05 at 1:44am

I also attended this reading. Yes I would agree on your analysis. But with a lot of work, I felt there could be some merit to the show. There were many parts that were funny and heart warming, they just didn't flow together smoothly. Alison Fraser was wonderful as was the rest of cast, with the talent they have assembled, they could make it work with a lot of re-writing. I have seen other readings that were far worse then this. Wasn't this the first reading of the show?
Updated On: 12/9/05 at 01:44 AM

[BwayHopeful]

Posted: 12/9/05 at 11:45am

I used to take classes with Matt Riopelle and am friends with him. And yes, he does have a tendency to stretch the truth (so to speak) so please take what I am saying as a grain of salt. But, he told me earlier this year that they had already done one reading and a workshop production of RANCHO with Donna McKechnie. So, this would basically make it the 2nd reading. But, like I said, that that with a grain of salt.