@showsiveseen @Harry Turpin's & Stacie Hart's @comeongettappy world premiere #musical by @Outrage Onstage at SecondStory Repertory. I'd like to think Shirley Temple's life behind the scenes was as #campy & sensational as this. Review: showsiveseen.com/9603 Photos: Colin Madison #showsiveseen #theatre #childstar #childactor #camp ♬ MILLION DOLLAR BABY (VHS) – Tommy Richman
Elevator Thoughts (aka Tweet): Harry Turpin’s & Stacie Hart’s Come On, Get Tappy! world premiere musical by Outrage Onstage at SecondStory Repertory. I’d like to think Shirley Temple’s life behind the scenes was as campy & sensational as this.
See it if either 1) you enjoy camp 2) you want to support community theatre 3) or you want to support new theatre works.
My Synopsis (No Spoilers): Hijinks ensue when an unexpected villain threatens the natural order of a Shirley Temple-style variety show.
Synopsis from the Licensor or Theatre Company: The “Tappy McCrackin Variety Hour” is the biggest hit show network television has ever seen. A pint-sized girl named Tappy McCrackin is the singing, dancing star of it all – but she’s collected a dangerous enemy in her rise to the top. As the show prepares to celebrate its 25th anniversary with a huge spectacle performance to be broadcast live in every living room in America, danger lurks in the wings. Villains, friends, and lovers find themselves in a chaotic scene when disaster strikes the studio – right before the big show. As the cameras roll, who will help her save the day?
Attended Performance Date: 8/29/24 – Keep your eyes peeled for preview posts on my website and social media if you want earlier notification of shows I’ve seen. Show closes on 9/15/24!
Type: Musical
World Premiere: Yes
Several or Few Scenes: Several
Several or Few Settings/Locations: A couple
Static (Stationary) Set? Mostly yes
Prior Exposure/Knowledge Required: No
Defined Plot/Storyline: Yes
Live Band/Orchestra: Yes
Equity Actors: None
Total Number of Actors: 16, which is pretty large for such a small stage
Perceived Pace of the Show: Medium speed
Was there an intermission? Yes
Length (Including Any Intermission): 2.75 hours
Was This the First Time I Attended a Production of this Show? Yes
Would I See It Again 3 Years from Now? No
Mainstream Appeal: Medium
Other Rave(s) Not Mentioned Above
- Costumes: For a non-Equity show, I was surprised with the diverse sizable costume selection curated by costume designer Kristin Haskins. What a spectacle!
- Fish Sponsor Gag: Regarding the fish-related sponsor mentioned in the script, the advertisement songs that played in the background before the show and during intermission were a nice touch.
- Tappy Shrine: Another impressive attention to detail was the extensive “Tappy McCrackin Discovery Gallery” shrine in the theatre lobby. It featured wall art, headlines, and memorabilia that showcased Tappy’s fictional career over the years. The intermission might not be long enough to fully explore all the intriguing lore!
- Tap Dancing: I absolutely love watching tap dancing in musicals. The mention of “tap” in the title actually initially drew me to see this show. However, while the production featured more tap dancing than most musicals, I was still expecting even more given the name of the titular main character. Side note, the “saluting” dance routine from choreographer (also the co-creator and director) Harry Turpin reminded me of the classic “Anything Goes” song with Sutton Foster.
Rant(s)
- Mic-ing: Some dialogue and lyrics were difficult to understand. It could have been different microphone models, suboptimal microphone placement, inconsistent microphone usage, soundboard operation, or something else. I’m fairly certain I missed background story that was integral to the plot because of this.
Other Musing(s) and Observation(s)
- Second Act Script Development: The second act script, particularly the latter half, unfortunately fell prey to a common theatre issue where it feels less developed compared to the first act. This portion of the script could benefit from additional reworking and refinement.
Theatre Company: Outrage Onstage and SecondStory Repertory
Venue: SecondStory Repertory
Venue Physical Address: 7325 166th Ave NE Ste F250, Redmond, WA 98052
Price Range: $35
Dates: August 23 to September 15, 2024
Seating: General Admission
Parking: Free lot or free garage parking provided by the Redmond Town Square outdoor mall where the theatre company resides.
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Pictures: See pictures below by Colin Madison
Cast and Production Team: See after pictures below.
