'Curtains' is old-fashioned fun

"CURTAINS," through Nov. 21, Hale Centre Theatre (801-984-9000); running time: 2 hours, 40 minutes (one intermission)

WEST VALLEY CITY — Not very often does a new musical comedy roll down the pike with all the glitz, glamour and charm of the good old-fashioned musicals of yesteryear.

Longtime songwriting duo John Kander and the late Fred Ebb, who also penned "Chicago" and "Cabaret," added a another one-word, starts-with-a-C musical to the arsenal, "Curtains."

The whodunit takes place in a Boston theater in 1959. There is a crime, a detective, colorful characters, sweeping melodies and big dance numbers.

With the show closing on Broadway last year, Hale Centre Theatre presents the regional premiere of the Tony Award-winning musical with plenty of glitz, although the stars don't completely align in the charm category … but they're close.

"Curtains" is filled with brilliant one-liners and wonderful character back-and-forth. On Wednesday night, it felt like the cast needed more time to spend with the characters and story to really flush out all that is there.

Paul Cartwright, single-cast as our hero, detective Frank Cioffi, grew into his trench coat.

With a swagger and confidence of a seasoned performer, he seemed almost too suave to play the detective with a hidden love of musical theater — and someone who is giddy, awe-struck and hesitant with the ladies.

But by Act II, he settled nicely into the character, delighting the crowd with a very charming "Tough Act to Follow."

His romantic partner-in-crime, no pun intended, Cecily Ellis-Bills (double cast with Debra Weed Stewart) was perfectly wide-eyed and innocent with a lovely singing voice. (It's a shame she doesn't have more songs).

Other standouts include Camille Gerber Van Wagoner (double cast with Janae Gibbs Cottam), whose delightful sassy producer stole the show.

I was disappointed at some of the cuts the theater made to the role, however, as the character lost a bit of brass and wasn't able to grow as much.

Brandon Cecala (double cast with Quinn Allan Dietlein) delivered some lovely moments and gets to show off his piano-playing prowess as well — a real treat!

Bryan Finch's flamboyant director was also very funny.