For a long time, I have wondered if the talented quintet of players at Houston’s evermore popular Music Box nightclub wouldn’t eventually run out of cleverly planned and executed themes for their numerous shows each year. Happily, that time has not yet come, and “Happily” is the operative word for the current production titled, Happily Ever at the Box, As that title suggests, the show is built around traditional fairytales, but with an amusingly off-beat collection of princes, princesses, fairy godmothers and witches. The witty narration throughout this musical romp of “fractured fairytales” is playfully provided by fine actor and vocalist, Luke Wrobel.
I had one fear at the outset, because the stunning, full-cast opening rendition of “Circle of Life” from Disney’s The Lion King, is so splendidly performed by all (with terrific animal mimicry included), that I immediately thought the number should have been placed as the grand finale at the close of the program. However, I’m pleased to report that song ties in nicely at the final curtain to symbolically complete the delightful musical circle of this well-crafted night of music.
We venture further into the fairytale world of royalty when Kristina Sullivan bursts forth with a lashing performance of the haunting tune, “Royal,” by Lorde. It featured smooth, harmonizing backup from the ensemble cast, and pulsing bass guitar from Long Le in the dependable G-Sharp Band ably led by Glenn Sharp. Then Cay Taylor takes the stage for a comical version of “Part of Your World,” from The Little Mermaid, which, through the miracle of amusing subtitles (and shots of Rosie the Riveter and CEO Barbie), is shaped as an outline of the Women’s Rights Movement with a fierce quest to “honor our foremothers” while searching for equal pay, maternity leave etc. That’s about it for political statements.
Handsome Brad Scarborough would never pass as a Frog Prince, but he has a blast honoring Jeremiah the Bull Frog with a really joyous, “Joy to the World.” His wife, Rebekah Dahl, has pun-fun with the role of the Witch and gets right down to business singing the ghostly, “I Put a Spell on You.” During that number lead guitarist, Mark McCain, casts a spell of his own walking the audience for his solo segment. If Kristina Sullivan’s Fairy Godmother bit gets off to a slightly slow start, that is quickly corrected by her smooth and lyrical performance of “Bridge Over Troubled Water.” Then it’s on to the delicious nonsense of “A Whole New World,” spoofing Disney characters with Brad as a mouse, Rebekah as a teapot, Kristina as a crab, and Cay as an aloof princess. The minimal costumes are a riot, and Mr. Scarborough proves that if called upon, he could do fine animated character voices for film.
The Disney song medley features Kristina’s bubbly, “Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo!” Luke brings solid bass to “Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah,” Cay belts out Hanson's hit, “Doo Wop,” and with the gang supplying mellow harmonies, Rebekah delivers the devilish merriment of “Chim Chim Cher-Ee,” Speaking of mellow, don’t miss Brad’s Mills Brothers-style sound effects during the festive Beatles tune, “Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da.”
The band tips its hat to the music of Billy Joel with the Overture to Act Two, and the cast follows with a wonderful a cappella version of the Queen hit, “Somebody to Love.” Another highlight is the gents’ near-operatic duet of “Agony” from Into the Woods, ending with Brad’s bobbing head and wide-mouthed grin making him look a bit like some cheerful marionette. Soon, with a terrific “Runaround Sue,” he would seem to conquer yet another musical style almost as though he had invented it.
Rebekah’s soaring, “He’s a Tramp,” pairs well with Luke’s, “The Lady is a Tramp,” and he soon shifts us from cheerful nonsense to musical richness with his tender performance of Randy Newman’s, “I Think It’s Going to Rain Today.” Kristina continues that tender mood with, “What a Wonderful World,” as Cay and Rebekah sweetly round out that thoughtful trio. Then, for a final touch of musical hilarity, Luke delivers an uproarious take-off on Mick Jagger as the group performs that eternal verity, “You Can’t Always Get What You Want.” While that may be true, if you’re looking for a night on the town with great entertainment, there’s always a good chance you will find it here at The Music Box.
