wordplay by orange peel moses

images by Adrienne Wilson

Just as the character she plays in the show (Sally Bowles), Melinda Dickson is a bit promiscuous. Musically speaking, that is. I consider myself quite fortunate to be one of several musical partners, both in the Westword award-winning dance music act called Friends in Stereo as well as a Johnny Cash homage called Ghost Rider. Considering our regular working relationship over the past two years, catching her turn as Bowles was practically mandatory. When the first feasible opportunity arose, I consulted Mapquest via the embedded link on Littleton Town Hall’s website. Unfortunately, Mapquest blatantly lied to me and my friends and I were confined to watch the show’s entire first half via closed circuit television in the lobby. Although understanding the dialogue was often difficult and distinguishing luminescent balls of light (due to the camera’s perpetually adjusting auto-focus) from one another was occasionally tricky, complimentary wine and half naked actors sprinting through the lobby every few scenes certainly consoled us slightly. After all, how many musical wardrobe closets are stocked chock full of lingerie? Still, we found ourselves counting the minutes until intermission when we would finally be allowed to find our seats inside the theater. Sadly, much of my favorite choreography happened during the first half–the kinky shadow dancing threesome, the chair number, etc. Even with our limited perception, though, Dickson obviously commanded the stage with her Broadway-caliber presence and pipes. Sure she’s a bit of a ham sometimes (aren’t we all?), but the stage is obviously her birthright. She owns it completely and deserves to continue doing so.