Theater Review: “Amélie” at Sacred Heart University

Review by Connecticut Critics Circle member Nancy Sasso Janis

“Amélie” is a quirky little musical with music by Daniel Messé, lyrics by Daniel Messé and Nathan Tysen and book by Craig Lucas. It is based on the French language romantic comedy film written by Jean-Pierre Jeunet and Guillaume Laurant.

Sacred Heart University Performing Arts Theatre Arts Program has produced an ambitious production of this French show and is presenting it in the new Black Box Theatre on their Fairfield campus. Remaining performances are Feb. 20-21 at 7 p.m. and the closing matinee on Feb. 22 at 3 p.m.

There is a QR code on the printed program that offers this description: “The musical is based on the 2001 French film of the same name. The musical tells the story of Amélie Poulain, a shy and imaginative Parisian woman who decides to secretly perform acts of kindness for the people around her. The musical features a captivating score while following Amélie as she discovers the power of human connection and learns to open herself up to love and friendship. It delves into Amélie’s vivid inner life and fantasies, her relationship with her father and her blossoming romance with a quirky man named Nino.”

Chase Brock, who has worked on Torch Song and “Be More Chill” and names the late Ann Reinking his teacher and mentor, directs the students. Brock puts the action in the center of the black box theatre on a round stage, for a very immersive theater in the round experience. The actors perform in the tiny aisles and at the outer edges, often requiring audience members in the front (circular) rows to keep a small personal space.

The story weaves through the title character’s life and imagination as the actors often self-narrate, so there is a lot going on. The news of the death of Princess Diana is worked into the narrative. I discovered that I missed a couple key points after the fact, but it did not really matter. There are plenty of small funny lines and a bit of the French language thrown in. An energetic church choir closes the first act promptly at the one hour mark, when I heard a patron describe the show as “wild.”

The choreographer is the Director of Dance at SHU, Ashley Eichbauer Newman. The dancing must be small in the space, and the entrances and exits of performers required a choreography of their own. Tom Morris worked as the music director of the show and led the band on piano, with Nicklas Dickerson on guitar and Richard Cruz on violin. Some of the group numbers featured beautiful harmonies, made even more striking by the nearness of the singers.

There are some contemporary yet defining costumes by Morgan Carter and Victoria Cutalo and hair and makeup design by Michelle Cuocci and Danielle Toppa. Add in the never overwhelming lighting design by Noah Devanney and the sound design by Isabella D’Andrea and the audience is presented with a well-produced performance.

The uncredited set design reminded me of a numberless clock with black boxes marking the hours and a black arm with a moveable hand to serve many purposes. Atop a circular platform painted white, it made for a striking contrast.

SHU senior Emily Vandal (Emma in A Christmas Carol at the Edgerton) takes on the title role, as well as the young version of her character. Vandal does well with the various characteristics that make up the personality of this young French woman that is described as being “slung between a neurotic and an iceberg.” Phillipa Soo led the cast in this role on Broadway.

First year SHU student Ryan Albertson, who appeared as Frank in a production of “Catch Me If You Can,” portrays the young man Nino Quincampoix and Adrien Wells. His character is smitten with “Amélie.”

Ensemble member Nolan Young, a SHU senior who played Roger in “A New Brain,” tackles the roles of Amélie’s distant father Raphael Poulain, Dominique Bretodeau, and Elton John. Ensemble member and SHU junior Madeleine Talluto (Mimi in “A New Brain”) portrays Amélie’s neurotic mother Amandine Poulain, and Philomene de Norpois.

Hope Kaczynski steps up from the ensemble to play Suzanne Scripant, a trapeze artist turned cafe owner. Erin Pellegrini, a senior who played Jo in “Little Women” and Slank in “Peter and the Starcatcher,” is the ensemble member who plays Georgette Cornuel and Sylvie Legrandin. Senior Diana Martucci (Peter/Boy in “Starcatcher”) gets to play Gina Wells and Collignon’s Mother and senior Dylan Dupre (“Midsummer Night’s Dream”) plays Joseph Cottard, a tourist, and a mysterious man and “Wrong Bretodeau.”

Andrew Gunneson, a senior who played Priest/Father in “Bare,” plays Hipolito Jeunet/Priest. Junior Andrew Sisti steps up from the ensemble to cover the roles of Collignon, the artist Julien Dufayel, Collignon’s Father, and a “Good Looking Lug.” Ensemble member Creflo Botweh plays Lucien Villeparisis and Fluffy (a fish) and Sage Sperling covers Blind Beggar and Garden Gnome.

The musical is presented with one 15-minute intermission. Arrive on time for general seating for the configuration of the space makes late seating impossible. Tickets are available online at edgertoncenter.org, at the Edgerton Center Box Office in person Monday to Friday, 12-4, or on the phone at (203) 371-7908