![\"Cinematic](\"https:\/\/lamesacourier.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/Untitled-1-7.jpg\")
<\/a>While he tries to convince his wife Luisa (Keri Miller) that their trip to the spa will be a romantic getaway, Guido deals with his relationships with his married mistress, Carla Albanese (Alyssa Austin), and a muse who frequently collaborated with him in the past, Claudia Nardi (Olivia Torres).<\/p>\nBailey\u2019s interpretation draws out the humor in the plot, as well as in songs such as \u201cGuido\u2019s Song\u201d and \u201cA Call From the Vatican,\u201d where audiences learn about Guido\u2019s flawed professional and personal life.<\/p>\n
The most haunting sequence in the show is one of his simplest \u2014 the act one finale, \u201cThe Bells of St. Sebastian,\u201d where Guido and the ensemble sing about the religious upbringing that scarred his childhood. Miller and the several actresses (almost all of whom wear black costumes from Pam Stompoly-Ericson, something that gives the evening a distinct look) sing the group numbers in a choral fashion that is powerful and intense.<\/p>\n
Maury Yeston\u2019s music and lyrics are funny and lighthearted at the outset but start to become darker at the finale to act one. Later on, his songs begin to show the consequences of Guido\u2019s affairs and procrastination as reality and his imagination continue to collide. Through all this, however, the audience continues to sympathize with him.<\/p>\n
Bailey, along with co-stars Christopher Miller and Kerri Miller, find Yeston\u2019s songs beautiful to listen to. \u201cI\u2019m particularly impressed with how the melodies come back to haunt you,\u201d Kerri Miller said.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou discover things like that as you\u2019re still rehearsing,\u201d Bailey said.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe [Yeston] manages to create hummable melodies and still be very playful,\u201d Christopher Miller said.<\/p>\n
The book and the songs sometimes tie into the number nine in a rather corny way, yet its use does eventually result in a moving conclusion.<\/p>\n
Both Christopher Miller and Kerri Miller are married in real life and have played a married couple several times onstage in the past. Keri mentioned that the marriage they depict in this performance, however, is much more contentious than many they have played previously.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s interesting to work on angry and sad scenes between us, since it\u2019s so contrary to what our offstage marriage is like,\u201d Keri Miller said. \u201cTo pretend to be so upset with him feels odd.\u201d<\/p>\n
As for her husband, he\u2019s had to think about his past relationships to work on these moments.<\/p>\n
\u201cA lot of times, it ends up being a matter of digging back on how our ex betrayed us or did us wrong. There\u2019s a strange dissonance where I realize I\u2019m talking to my wife\u2019s face, but I think I\u2019m talking to that Kathy girl,\u201d he said, laughing.<\/p>\n
Christopher Miller as Guido sings and acts with a mixture of mischievous confidence and self-doubt, and Keri portrays Luisa with a sense of regret that slowly builds to uncontrollable anger and sadness.<\/p>\n
Other co-stars featured in memorable moments and solos include Torres, Marnie Klein, Linda Snyder and Dawn Marie Zuniga-Williams who leads the ensemble in \u201cBe Italian,\u201d a number that features quick dance moves from Austin and catchy orchestrations from Up \u2018Til 4 Music (Christopher Miller worked on additional orchestrations) on Bailey\u2019s audio.<\/p>\n
The La Mesa interpretation is an unconventional character study that benefits from Bailey\u2019s direction and strong performance by the artists. Check it out, or you may have to wait years to see it again in San Diego County.<\/p>\n
\u201cNine\u201d is running at Lamplighters Community Theatre through May 19. For tickets or more information, visit lamparaslamesa.com<\/a> or call 619-303-5092.<\/p>\n