My overall impression
MARRY ME A LITTLE centers on two urban singles, solo in their studio apartments 2C and 3C on a Saturday night in New York City as they pass the time with secret, unshared fantasies, never knowing that they are just one floor away from each other and possibly the end of their solitary dreams.
The 70-minute one-act is perfect for the Hollywood Fringe Festival, presented with loving care by Producer/Director Janet Miller with Musical Director Corey Hirsch who accompanies the two cast members on piano with great gusto and emotional intensity through the entire show which is entirely sung through.
David Laffey and Jessie Withers command the stage in their struggle for love with each song illuminating their life of joy and loss. Certainly these two are meant for each other if only they could meet face to face. Miller uses two chairs and one bed with two pillows on opposite ends to reflect the similarities in the man and woman’s apartments and lives, often having both in bed on either side as they sing beautiful duets together in perfect harmony. In fact, if you are not familiar with the play, it may take you a minute to realize they are not really in the same bed together, their mirrored actions so perfectly choreographed. Then you will notice they never really touch, although they do pass a book back and forth between them – laying it on the bed so the other may pick it up.
A few highlights of the show are Withers’ rousing rendition of “Can That Boy Foxtrot” in which she stretches out the “F” to denote the real meaning behind the lyrics as she cavorts on a chair, and Laffey’s dapper dancing during “Uptown, Downtown” in which he describes the various women he has encountered in the city that never sleeps. As is true for Sondheim songs, the difficult harmonies and lyrics are always challenging and these two (along with Hirsch) certainly handle everything with great skill and perfect timing. Brilliantly colorful lighting designed by Katherine Barrett accompanies and enhances the mood of each song.
