“Get Ready” and remember to wear your uniform to Do Black Patent Leather Shoes Really Reflect Up?
by Ellorah Maeve
Growing up and going to high school during the 2020's can be overwhelming. You have to worry about grades, social life and self-discovery over the span of 12 years before, eventually, being launched into adulthood to figure out everything else. Whether you go to public school or catholic school, a lot of struggles are the same. In the musical Do Black Patent Leather Shoes Really Reflect Up?, the audience learns about the nuances of catholic education through the point of view of 1950's school children. Bridge Players Theatre Company is celebrating their 50th anniversary with Do Black Patent Leather Shoes Really Reflect Up?, Book by John R. Powers, Music & Lyrics by James Quinn & Alaric Jans; which was originally produced during the theater’s 1996/1997 season. This musical comedy is set in Chicago and focuses on Catholic school children who grow up and learn about many different educational and life lessons. This coming-of-age story touches on themes such as self-discovery, bullying, and the debate between faith versus logic. These concepts are touched on through comedic songs such as “Mad Bomber-Saving Ourselves” and “It’s The Nuns”. If you enjoy musicals such as Nunsense and Sister Act, you will enjoy this production!
The two main children we learn about are Eddie Ryan and Becky Bakowski. Jaden Murray as Eddie Ryan gives an emotional performance that tugs at the heart strings. Their vibrato is beautiful and pleasant to listen to. Allyssa Winkelspecht as Becky Bakowski sings beautifully and brings a sincere melancholy to her character’s struggles with bullies and feelings of love. Some other schoolmates such as baseball loving, potty-mouthed Codi Korhammer as Mike Depki and Allison Ewing as Female Student (U/S for the roles of Virginia Lear on October 3rd and Sister Monica October 9th) struggle with hard hitting questions such as “How Far is Too Far”, a song which is about the topic of intimacy and love. The harmonies in this song are expertly done with the Vocal Direction by Brian Padla. The crescendoes of harmony lines are reminiscent of choral hymns and Sunday mornings. The hymnal songs like “How Far is Too Far” and 1950’s Motown styles like in “Doo-Waa, Doo-Wee” are brought to life by the live pit orchestra. The Conductor is Jim Sheffer; with David Atkinson on Woodwinds, Rob Ziccardi on Trumpet, Dave Kaplan on Bass, JC Nicdao on Drums/Percussion, and Keyboard/Patch Programming by Talia Fisher.
The ever-faithful teacher’s pet Samantha Wentz as Mary Kenny has you truly believe in the importance of becoming the Queen of the May. Emma Reilly as Nancy Ralansky is a ditsy girl who wishes to be seen as more mature than she actually is. She is at her most funny during the confessional scenes. Another hilarious actor during the confessional scene is Damon A. Strothers as Louis Schlang. How is his foot broken in every scene?! Come see the show, if you want to know what that means! The number “Mad Bomber-Saving Ourselves” gives two actors great solos; Amber Stolarski as Virginia Lear (U/S for Sister Lee on October 3rd) and Felix Ramos as Felix Lindor. Ramos brings a lot of fun energy, even when he has no speaking lines. Stolarski brings sass and growl to the number that has the whole audience tapping their feet along. Fun choreography by Nikki Melvin in her first community theatre debut makes you want to twist and shout by the end of the song.
These lessons are taught by the nuns and priests of the school. Lisa Croce as Sister Lee sings the song “Cookie Cutters” about how everyone is a little different and that’s normal. The way this Sister is the most candid about her thoughts and feelings is hilarious. Meanwhile, Steve Rogina as Father O’Reilly performs his song “Private Parts” about how hormones can make you sinful. Steve portrays the Father as firm, yet gentle towards the students. Kat Fresh as Sister Helen and Rosemarie Loughlin as Sister Monica also have fun comedic bits during prom scenes and holding up images of the different saints in the song “Patron Saints”.
Director Chrissy Wick knows what growing up in a catholic school is like, so putting this show together is a labor of love and community. She creates a story that reflects the reality and the satire of certain scenarios that only people who were raised Catholic would relate to and those who weren’t can appreciate. Stage Manager Basil DiPasquale keeps the classroom orderly both onstage and off. Fight and Intimacy Director Sean McGarry makes the crude jokes in the musical land harder. The progression of time throughout the student’s education is seen clearly in Jackie Reinhart’s costume design. Set Design by Lou Dipilla brings beautiful stained glass windows to the center of the stage to reinforce the religious undertones of the source material. The center window was created by hand with colored gels. The expert skill to make stained glass look real is done by Set Construction and Lighting Design from Bob Beaucheane. Other set constructors include Lou DiPilla, Marissa DiPilla, Ken Kauker, Kris Kauker, Adam Noble, and Jim Wick. Authentic landline telephone ringing and radio audio pulls you into the time period with Sound Design by Kris Kauker. Sound Tech Timothy Kirk let the actor’s harmonies truly shine. Producers Lauren DiPilla and Kate Petrovich bring all of the technical elements together to create an engaging and entertaining show.
Subjectively, the song “Cookie Cutters” is my favorite in the entire show. The message of the song discusses how each person is a special and unique creation of God. Not every cookie is made exactly the same, and yet all cookies are loved and eaten by everyone. Many young people grow up thinking they are not good enough to be loved; and this is the furthest thing from the truth. This show reminds us all that, even though we struggle, there will always be people who care about you, love you and see you for the beautiful soul you are. Whether you are a chocolate chip cookie or oatmeal raisin, someone will think you are great! DBPLSRRU will be running from SEP 25 - OCT 10, 2026; Fridays/Saturdays at 8 PM and Sundays at 3 PM.
Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.tix.com/ticket-sales/BridgePlayers/7570
Also view the program here: https://bridgeplayerstheatre.com/program
