Ruthless: The Musical

CCP presents killer stage satire

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By John Lyle Belden

Show business is crazy.

Like really crazy, nuts, bonkers, cookoo! The kind of insane that you see in movies like “The Bad Seed” or “All About Eve,” which Joel Paley and Marvin Laird used as the touchstones for their 1990s Off-Broadway hit comedy musical, “Ruthless!” now presented by Carmel Community Players, directed by Kathleen Clarke Horrigan.

New York agent Sylvia St. Croix (Jeff Fuller) knows talent, and little Tina Denmark (Olivia Cook) has got it! Tina’s mother, Judy (Jonna Kauffman), sings very well for someone with no talent. Tina’s father, Frederick (Tristan Stecenko), is away on business.

The first step on Tina’s path to Broadway is getting the lead in the school production of “Pippi Longstocking: Pippi in Tahiti.” However, Miss Thorn (Holly Hathaway Thompson) has given the lead role to ungifted and unmotivated Louise Lerman (Jennifer Kaufmann). Tina can be the understudy, but she’s not settling for that.  

On hand to see Tina’s debut is Judy’s adopted mother, feared theatre critic Lita Encore (Jill O’Malia).  This show will be to die for!

That’s just the first act – after intermission, things get even more suspenseful and silly with rising star Ginger Del Marco (Jonna K.) and her assistant, Eve (Jennifer K.). Secrets will be revealed; a Tony award will be fondled; more characters will die dramatically.

And contrary to the title, there may even be a Ruth!

This clever parody and satire takes on the tropes of noir and theatre with equal gusto, a spectacle where over-the-top is never enough. The big song is Lita’s “I Hate Musicals!” wonderfully delivered by O’Malia – a nice palate cleanser between courses of chewing scenery.

Miss Cook shows herself capable to knock ‘em dead (not just literally) in any show. Fuller in mature-diva drag as St. Croix is commanding, and, in this setting, practically normal.  Jonna Kauffman gets in well-played moments as both ditz and diva, showcasing her dynamic voice.  Thompson and Jennifer Kaufmann are also gloriously goofy.

You’d be crazy to miss this. “Ruthless!” plays Thursday through Sunday at The Switch Theatre at Ji-Eun Lee Music Academy, 10029E. 126th St., Suite D., Fishers. Get tickets at carmelplayers.org.

ATI: Ruth sure is missing out on a great show

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By Wendy Carson

Ambition. It’s all that drives some people. Even though they have talent and skills, they strive to be recognized and adored for it. How far will a person go to get what they want?

This question is the main premise of the show, “Ruthless: The Musical,” presented by Actors Theatre of Indiana. It is a musical parody of classic noir “The Bad Seed” and “All About Eve,” with a whole lot of campy fun thrown in.

Judy Fitzgerald nimbly portrays Judy Denmark, a doting mother who, while abundantly proud of her daughter Tina, possesses a fierce drive of her own. John Vessels delivers with all of his vamping glory as Sylvia St. Croix, who will do anything to be part of show biz – again.

Suzanne Stark’s portrayal of viciously bitter reviewer Lita Encore channels Madeline Kahn and Megan Mullally in evoking the requisite Evil Wielder of the Poisonous Pen (we’ll try not to take it personally).

Laura Sportiello brilliantly pulls off the gawkiness and questionable talent of Tina’s rival, Louise Lehrman, while also proving she is not one to be underestimated. Meanwhile, Cynthia Collins is fun as the put-upon Miss Thorn, a third-grade teacher whose own showbiz aspirations were crushed by stark reality. Her self-written musical about Pippi Longstocking and questionable casting choices provide the fodder to set this chaos in motion.

Finally, we turn to Nya Skye Beck’s performance as Tina Denmark, the talented and seemingly perfect child whom we all wish we had. Only a fourth-grader, Beck’s level of talent at acting, singing and dance is amazing. During the show, my partner John said, “She is the real deal,” and I heartily agree. I hope to see her in many more productions in the coming years, before the call of Broadway whisks her away.

The first act more reflects “Seed,” with Act Two taking aspects of “Eve” with Sportiello in an alternate role. Satire abounds – there’s a big musical number called “I Hate Musicals” – secrets are exposed, and it all comes down to an ending to die for. On the whole, this show is hilarious and highly entertaining.

“Ruthless” runs through Feb. 17 at the Studio Theater in the Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Carmel. ATI notes the content is relative to a PG-13 rating. For info and tickets, visit atistage.org or thecenterpresents.org.