Calvin Berger

It’s always a delight to be given a surprise gift – and Calvin Berger is certainly that. It’s new and fresh (despite being a high school version of Cyrano de Bergerac) and full of charm; a terrific evening’s entertainment with catchy songs and terrific lyrics written in the same mode as Jason Robert Brown’s 13. The book is smart and witty with plenty of quirkiness but without resorting to too many cliches. This time the teenagers are older – all 17 – and suffer the angst that goes with that age. But they’re really well drawn characters and good wholesome people and we care about them. In fact if someone wanted to find fault (I certainly don’t) they might find the show too wholesome…too good; and it may be that lack of edge and bite which has kept it off Broadway. I can’t think of any other reason because it’s a show that deserves to be seen and enjoyed, and at least we in Melbourne have a few days in which to savour it. Barry Wyner, a new writer, garnered a heap of awards with this, his first musical, and rightly so. He called it A show about Awkward.

Calvin Berger is a Nerd, who loves Rosanna, who in turn only has eyes for the New Jock Matt (who thinks her name is Rubella) who is a hotty, but dumb as…. throw in Calvin’s best friend Bret who loves him but believes she’s not worthy, and you have a four hander with a classic story in a contemporary setting.

Casey Gould has gone for simple staging without the use of radio mikes, so that there’s a sense of naturalism in the show. He’s also chosen NOT to use a prosthetic nose, allowing us to realise that Calvin’s HUGE nose (which isn’t really big at all) is just a symbol of his insecurities. He doesn’t put a foot wrong in the staging and draws terrific performances from his four young stars. And it is the cast who are an absolute triumph. They are so good, and so appealing that you want to hug them and say a personal thank you to each. Teagan Wouters (Rosanna) is the most experienced and both she and the lovely Rebecca Moore (Bret) are totally convincing, though they may have fared better with mikes. But it’s the “Boys” who carry the night. Glen Hill, winner of the 2012 Rob Guest Endowment Award, is perfect in the title role. He has enough experience to burn the stage and yet there’s a sweetness he plays in the nerd’s lack of confidence that makes you want him to win from the outset. He never overpowers, though one suspects that he could quite easily if he chose, and his lyrical voice is a joy to listen to. What can one say about the fabulous Robert Tripolino, whose own musical Dreamsong had a run in Melbourne last year which this reviewer enjoyed? He is not only a kickass composer and guitarist, he’s also a triple threat on stage with a warm personality, a lyrical voice and an endearing knack for comedy. When the two of them are on stage together, the show lifts a notch, and their comedy number “You’re the Man”, which includes Tripolino ‘Rapping’ Shakespeare (with all the right moves) is one of the highlights of the night.

The amazing Loclan Mackenzie-Spencer leads the three piece band with himself on Keyboards 1 and Alistair Smith on synth providing full orchestrations, a great sound. The very capable Callum Moncrieff is on drums.

It would be easy to dismiss this as being some Off Broadway show you’ve never heard of, but DON’T. You will regret it. There were high school girls in the audience last night, middle-aged people, and my companion who is 74. We all loved it and, as he commented, agreed it was a pure joy, feel good production. There’s a song in the show called “More Than Meets The Eye” and it’s certainly true of Calvin Berger, so get to Southbank while you can. Variety called it “A Cheerful Little Winner” but that’s underselling it. It’s exhilarating entertainment.

Coral Drouyn

Photographer: Blake Condon