By David Dixon
A singing and dancing comedy about losing weight has become a surprise hit. Productions of “WaistWatchers the Musical!” have been staged since 2007 and a new one is now running at the Lyceum Space at Horton Plaza.
In Miss Cook’s Women’s Gym, a fitness instructor, Carla (Yvonne Brown), tries to help three of her clients get into shape and live a healthier lifestyle. She learns about the intimate private lives of the gym members.
Carla finds out that Cindy (Brandi Lacy), Connie (Danielle Levin), and Cheryl (Kathy Sanders) are going through issues involving sex, work, and marriage.
The main performers know the material inside and out since they starred in a recent run at Phoenix’s Herberger Theater Center. A Coronado resident, Sanders grew close to the ensemble during her stint in Arizona.
“The relationships featured onstage are similar to the ones we have in real life,” she said. “We did become like a family.”
Sanders admitted that there are some parallels between the actresses and the roles that they play.
“Our characters are sort of similar to us in real life,” she said. “We made the characters more into ourselves.”
Directing this highly identifiable story is John Anderson, the production manager of the San Diego Repertory Theatre.
Anderson has directed plays in the past, but “WaistWatchers” is the first musical that Anderson has ever staged.
The most difficult aspect of directing a musical, for Anderson, is making sure that the music sounds as good as possible in the theatre.
“The most important [element] in a musical is that the melodies are perfect,” he said. “My work became easier when the musical director started working with the cast members on the tunes.”
In trying to make the protagonists feel real, Anderson has included a theme featured in some of the previous tales he has directed.
“I wanted to create a place where they don’t have to pretend to each other at all,” he said. “Miss Cook’s gym is their clubhouse and Fortress of Solitude.”
As the bond between the four women grows, parodies of popular songs from artists such as ABBA and Britney Spears are performed by the various characters. Titles such as “Botox Queen,” “Big Balls Are a Girl’s Best Friend” and “I Went to the Buffet Line” are indicators of the tongue-in-cheek tone during the 90-minute one-act.
Many reviewers have compared Alan Jacobson’s script with “Menopause The Musical,” since that show also featured parody songs, a female cast and irreverent humor.
Sanders said familiarity with well-known tunes such as “Maria” from “West Side Story” and “The Impossible Dream (The Quest)” from “Man of La Mancha” really adds to the humor.
“People just start cracking up as soon as they recognize the music and how the words are altered,” she said. “There is a lot of cleverness in the lyrics.”
Besides the jokes, Sanders enjoys the way that theatregoers can connect with the plot.
“There is something in there for everyone to relate to,” she said. “It’s basically four people discussing topics that are talked about on a daily basis.”
Anderson said the primary reason the laugh-filled evening has been so popular is because it has such a lighthearted approach while remaining empathetic.
“It is a joyful experience for 90 minutes,” he said. “Viewers will see themselves, as well as loved ones, in the narrative.”
Whether going out with a big group of friends or just looking for a fun date night, this comical event should be one of the funnier times spent at a gym. Don’t be surprised if it becomes tempting to sing along with the four friends.
“WaistWatchers, the Musical!” will be playing at the Lyceum Space, 79 Horton Plaza, Downtown, through March 27. For tickets or more information, visit sdrep.org or call 619-544-1000.
—A fan of film and theater from a very young age, David Dixon has written reviews and features for various print and online publications. You can reach him at [email protected].
