City of Mystery, City of Song: Act 4 — The Usual Suspects

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City of Mystery, City of Song: Act 4 — The Usual Suspects

January 27, 2014 by David Svien

The cast of “City of Angels” works on a big number. (Chelsea Randall photo)

“City of Angels,” a Tony-award winning musical comedy from the creator of TV landmark “M*A*S*H,” is a fast-talkin’, toe-tappin’ mash-up of private eyes, crooners and dangerous dames.

As the cast and crew at Langley’s Whidbey Island Center for the Arts prepares for the Feb. 7-22 run, dive into our four-part series that shines a spotlight on what awaits you on opening night.

Through good times and bad, through chaotic rehearsals and the occasional hiccup, one thing has remained constant for the creative team behind “City of Angels.”

They love their cast.

“This is a great group,” said choreographer Chelsea Randall. “I love them all so much. They have been so fun and such troupers.”

Community theater often brings together a mix of seasoned pros and never-set-foot-on-a-stage newcomers.

Toss in the fact “City of Angels” is full of snappy songs and big dance scenes, plus a lot of whip-smart dialogue, and it’s not necessarily the easiest play to pull off.

But Randall and director Elizabeth Herbert, the very epitome of seasoned pros, have been pleasantly surprised by how well their diverse cast has meshed.

“This musical is challenging in any arena,” Herbert said. “So kudos to this community for stepping up to the task.”

Whether it’s Tristan Steel doing a dead-on impression of a tough-talkin’, frequently roughed-up private eye or Carrie Whitney scoring big laughs as a memorably ditzy starlet, this is a cast to watch.

Seriously. Go buy a ticket already.

Then have your autograph book with you and hang out at the stage door until you get every last name in your little book. A list to make that hunt a bit easier:

The “City of Angels” cast:

Stone: Tristan A.B. Steel
Stine: Robert Atkinson
Donna/Oolie: Savannah True Randall
Carla/Alaura: Karla (Gilbert) Crouch
Buddy/Irwin: Jim Carroll
Gabby/Bobbi: Deana Duncan
Munoz/Pancho: Ryan Saenz
Avril/Mallory: Carrie Whitney
Jimmy Powers/Pasco: Jim Castaneda
Dr. Mandril: Lars Larson
Peter Kingsley: Gabe Harshman
Sonny/Yamato: Keith Mack
Mahoney/Del Dacosta: Bob Thurmond
Big Sixx/Studio Cop: Steve Ford
Luther/Werner: Mikkel Hustad
Gene: Pete Seybert
Madam/Masseuse: Kathy Stanley
Angel City Quartet: Matt Bell, Linda Mclean, Christina Parker, Rob Scott
Ensemble: Hannah Mack, Melinda Mack, Sarah Parker, Loretta Seybert, Aleah Stacey