Leap of Faith

Lesser-known and short-lived Broadway musicals frequently find their welcome on the local stage in Community Theatre. Companies and performers love fresh shows to perform, while audiences get to see musicals that don’t make it to our professional stages.

It’s win / win really, especially when a production attracts as much Community Musical Theatre talent as Rockdale’s Leap of Faith.

Based on the 1992 film of the same name, it tells the story of a charismatic travelling religious charlatan who finds himself in love with the female sheriff of a small Kansas town. Does the plot sound familiar? Substitute musical instruments, a librarian and Iowa, and it describes a classic Golden Age musical.

It matters little that the slight, under-written book barely holds the numbers in Alan Menken and Glenn Slater’s Gospel driven score apart; that just makes the night all about the singing – the very impressive singing.

With seven vocally demanding roles, Rockdale Musical Society has assembled a septet of impressive community theatre talent. An abundance of gospel songs provide ample opportunities for Tanya Boyle, April Neho and Sally Redman to let loose vocally, and they raise the roof.

As shonky preacher Jonas Nightingale, Daniel O’Connell shows his mettle in a mix of big theatrical numbers to establish Jonas’ showmanship, then touching duets with Jessica James-Moody as sherriff Marla McGowan, and Jordan Fuller as her crippled son Jake. Jessica’s Marla is a passionate, down-to-earth performance, impressively sung, while Jordan’s Jake is credible and engaging.

Earnest young preacher Isiah becomes Jonas’ real adversary, and talented young performer Louis Vincinguerra makes him obnoxious enough to shift our sympathies to anti-hero Jonas.

Vibrant and enthusiastic, the ensemble give their all to create the spirit of the show’s revivalist numbers, stretching vigorously toward the heavens to energise Craig Nhobbs’ lively arm choreography. Backed up by a group of top principal performers as pit singers, the company numbers sound brilliant.

Director Elle Zattera and team have come up with a terrific, seemingly simple set concept, well executed, in which the revivalist tent is raised before our eyes.

Even though Leap of Faith isn’t a great musical, a lesser Broadway show which played just 24 previews and 20 regular performances in 2012, within its limitations it gets a lively, snappily-paced production at Rockdale which ensures a bright evening’s entertainment.

Neil Litchfield

Photographer: Chloe Snaith

More details