Let’s Misbehave

By John Farrell, Curtain Call Writer
Some people just can’t stop writing.

Fifty years after his death Cole Porter, or someone writing for Porter, is still producing musicals in his name, with his delightful and witty lyrics and lively and memorable tunes.

Let’s Misbehave, which recently opened a three-week runs at International City Theatre, is a perfect case in point.

Porter wrote 16 musicals during his career, including “Silk Stockings” and “Kiss Me, Kate.” I guarantee you that he didn’t write Let’s Misbehave, but he might have. He certainly would be proud of the musical Karen Bowersock and Patrick Young have concocted from 36 of his songs. These include well-known songs, such as, “In the Still of the Night,” “It was Just One of Those Things,” “Night and Day” and “De-Lovely.”

Many, like “Come to the Supermarket in Old Peking” will be more of a surprise.

Three young party-survivors, Alice (Jennifer Shelton,) Dorothy (Linsey Alley) and Walter (Marc Ginsburg) are enjoying themselves after an evening at a swell party, but then begin to wonder why they never have anyone to go home with. They vow they will all find love by July 4, some months hence, and then the fireworks (well, damp squibs are more like it) begin.

All this is done to music provided by pianist Brian Baker, who keeps playing through both acts. He is acknowledged by cast members but isn’t really there, except musically, which means the whole time.

Ginsburg is handsome in a white tuxedo. You have to wonder why the girls haven’t decided to make him more than a friend or why he hasn’t hooked up with Alice or Dorothy. Well, he does and that is the plot. It’s not much, but it enough to allow them to sing and dance through two acts, spinning Porter’s songs with humor and swellegance.

The opening marks the beginning of International City Theatre’s 29th year in Long Beach. It’s going to be an interesting year.

Tickets are $47 and $42 on Thursday. Performances Thursday through Saturday at 8 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m.,  through February 16.

Details: (562) 436-4610; www.InternationalCityTheatre.org
Venue: International City Theatre
Location: 300 E. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach