MYSTIC PIZZA


Take the movie that set Julia Roberts on the path to superstardom, stir in twenty of the 1980s and ‘90s’ Greatest Hits, give the mix a contemporary sensibility and a dynamite triple-threat cast, and you’ve got Mystic Pizza (The Musical), a surefire La Mirada Theatre hit.

Like the 1988 indie on which it is based, Sandy Rustin’s cleverly tweaked book focuses on sisters Daisy and Kat Arujo (Krystina Alabado and Kyra Kennedy), their longtime bestie Jojo Barboza (Gianna Yanelli), and the events that transpire not long after their high school graduations in the seaside fishing village of Mystic, Connecticut.

And like Mystic Pizza (The Movie), its musical adaptation opens on Jojo’s wedding day, soon to become known far and wide as the day Jojo becomes (like Julia Roberts a decade later) a Runaway Bride, leaving childhood sweetheart Bill Montijo (Jordan Friend) dazed and confused, and the entire town craving comfort food.

And where better to find that than at Leona Silvia’s (Rayanne Gonzales) legendary Mystic Pizza?

 It’s there that Daisy meets and falls for tall, rich, floppy-haired, and handsome Charles Gordon Windsor Jr. (Michael Thomas Grant) as elsewhere in town the Yale-bound Kat finds herself instantly head over heels for married architect Tim Travers (Chris Cardozo).

Romantic complications ensue.

Movie fans will find screenwriter Amy Holden Jones’ interlocking storylines basically intact, with a few minor adjustments. (Tim’s four-year-old daughter, for example, has been left on the cutting room floor.)

Meanwhile, book writer Rustin adds a plot twist of her own, with Leona now planning to sell the floundering Mystic Pizza and retire, barring an unexpected miracle.

Along the way, Rustin finds ways to insert one golden oldie after another, astutely selected to serve both characters and plot.

The show-opening “Small Town” has the entire village singing the praises of Mystic, “Girls Just Want To Have Fun” gives Daisy, Kat, and Jojo a chance to let loose after Jojo’s disastrous wedding day, and the moment Kat meets Tim, she finds herself “Lost In Your Eyes.”

And though as a general rule I prefer my movie-to-musical adaptations to follow examples set by Hairspray, Legally Blonde, and Footloose and feature songs specifically written for the show, there’s something to be said for a musical whose each and every song immediately rings a nostalgic bell as you resist the temptation to sing along to hits made famous by the likes of Cyndi Lauper, Huey Lewis, The Go-Go’s, Wilson Phillips, Pat Benatar, and Starship (among others).

Finally, and to her credit, Rustin gives her three protagonists goals above and beyond simply finding the right guy.

All of this adds up to a musical that had me from hello, and eager to sing the praises of its three stellar leads, reprising roles they originated three years ago at Maine’s Ogunquit Playhouse as well as the show’s mostly new (but equally sensational) featured cast under returning director Casey Hushion’s accomplished hand.

Back in L.A. after her incandescent star turn in Pasadena Playhouse’s Sunday In The Park With George a year ago, the sensational Alabado makes for a fierce and fabulous Daisy; the absolutely lovely Kennedy gives Kat a powerful mix of vulnerability and mettle as the smart, aiming-for-the-stars future astronomer; and raven-haired stunner Yanelli is one fabulously feisty ball of fire as tender-hearted tough girl Jojo.

Friend is terrific too as the bearded, burly, brokenhearted Bill; swoon-worthy leading man Grant is preppie perfection as Charlie; and Cardozo is the handsome heartbreaker-with-a-telescope any aspiring astronomer would fall for, married or not.

With Ogunquit firecracker Gonzalez returning as Leona, it’s no wonder the entire town of Mystic gets together at her pizza joint to sing its owner’s praises, and its no wonder either that producers invited standout original cast member/dance captain Jake Swain to return in multiple cameos and give Rick Astley some pretty stiff competition where “Never Gonna Give You Up” is concerned.

Everyone else in the cast is new to Mystic Pizza’s West Coast Premiere, and ensembles don’t get any more triple-threat-tastic than Domo D’Dante, Michael James, April Josephine, Monika Peña, Louis Pardo, Alyssa M. Simmons, Rachel Kae Wirtz, with special mention due SoCal fave Jeff Skowron, a hilariously snooty hoot as the food critic known only as Fireside Gourmet and the “till DEATH do you part!” priest who gets the whole thing rolling.

Choreographer Connor Gallagher delivers one show-stopping dance sequence after another as associate musical director Jennifer Lin and her onstage band* provide rocking accompaniment every step of the way to Carmel Dean’s accomplished arrangements and orchestrations as Josh Bessom ensures an expert sound design mix. (Kristin Stowell is musical director.)

Nate Bertone’s scenic design takes us swiftly and stylishly from one Mystic local to another, Jen Caprio’s costumes and Kaitlin Yagen’s hair and wig designs are each and every of them a late-1980s treat, Kevin Williams once again fills the stage with prop after prop after prop, and Ryan J. O’Gara’s lighting is nothing short of dazzling throughout the show.

Mystic Pizza is presented by La Mirada Theatre For The Performing Arts with Lively McCabe Entertainment, McCoy Rigby Entertainment, and Riverside Theatricals.

Casting is by Julia Flores with additional casting by Peter Dunn. Chachi Degado and Tayler Mettra are swings.

Jill Gold is production stage manager and Katherine Barrett is assistant stage manager. David Elzer is publicist.

Musicals that make it from their regional debuts to Broadway may be the exception rather than the rule, but Mystic Pizza has a better than average chance to make it all the way to NYC. It’s hard to imagine any audience not wanting to stand up and cheer.

*Anna Barreiro, Lin, Brett McDonald, Brian Silverman, and Max Wagner

Additional credits: Joshua Warner (associate scenic and properties designer), Sam Weiser (associate lighting designer), Kevin Clowes (technical director), Theresa Flemming (general manager), David Nestor (company manager), Eric Heinly (music contractor)

La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, 14900 La Mirada Boulevard, La Mirada. Through February 11. Thursdays at 7:30, Fridays at 8:00, Saturdays at 2:00 and 8:00, and Sundays at 1:30 and 6:30.
www.lamiradatheatre.com

–Steven Stanley
January 20, 2024
Photos: Jason Niedle

 

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