This appealing souffle exotically combines British high society with American showbiz. The Gershwins musicalized this lively romance using its original title as a movie vehicle for Fred Astaire, then a rising star at RKO. George's sudden death from a brain tumor at 38 saw the project finished by other writers. Festival artistic director Christopher Newton rescued "A Damsel In Distress" from obscurity and had it reworked into A Foggy Day. It became the 1998 Festival's sellout. The now-familiar Astaire formula presents a suave song and dance man in love with a hard-to-get beauty. Here, the "damsel" of the original title is blue blood Lady Jessica, with Steve Riker (Astaire's role) an American songwriter (what's more glamorous?) living in London preparing his latest musical.
With such memorable songs as "A Foggy Day In London Town," "Love Is Here To Stay," "Love Walked Right In" and "He Loves and She Loves," we succumb to the lightweight tale with its predictable yet serendipitous twists. Brilliant choreography captures the sophisticated style immortalized by Fred & Ginger. Dynamic tap dancing by Larry Herbert as Steve (executed with Astaire flair) and a hot chorus of maids, butlers and chauffeurs in show-stopping production numbers highlight Steve's persistent pursuit of Jessica. Glynis Ranney's Jessica glows more from her sweet singing than her dancing.
It's the amazingly versatile Nora McLellan -- renown nationally for her dramatic roles -- who steals the show. She sings and dances up a storm as Billie, Steve's leading lady, won over by lovable widower Lord Marshmorten, in a performance blending Mae West and Ethel Merman. Other standouts are lanky Todd Waite as Jessica's endearingingly comical, girl-shy brother Reggie; and Karen Wood, hilarious as Albertina, audacious head maid and Cockney-accented Cupid to unsuspecting couples.
