The greatest gift is falling in love: A review of Let’s write a musical

Actor Luke Wall

Lets Write A Musical is a joyous celebration of Musical Theatre, an instant classic in the making, this toe-tapping good time is a beautiful reminder that love wins out in the end.

Lets Write A Musical
Written and Lyrics by Lawrie Chiaro Smylie.
Director and Choreographer: John Coppola.
June 8th-30th 
Venue  McCadden Theatre - 1157 N. McCadden Place, Los Angeles, CA 90038 
Run Time 1Hr

Based on real-life events, the plot of this show focuses on the aftermath of writer/composer Lawrie Chiaro Smylie's husband Ben who gets diagnosed with Stage IV Cancer, in an attempt to remain in good spirits they decide to write a musical together, and this show is the culmination of their work together.

They show is interweave of two different stories told simultaneously two very different heartfelt love stories that run parallel to each other that are braided seamlessly in one layered production, musical within a play if you will. 

The story that we see on stage follows the character David(Bil Dwyer The Middle, Parks and Recreation, Hot in Cleveland) who after being diagnosed with cancer, turns to his wife, Lucy(Patricia Gillum), and says the titular phrase "let's write a musical." they decide to set their show in the '50s based off when they first met. It is a romantic musical comedy that tells the story of Olive(Rachael McLachlan) and Blake(Luke Wall ) She is a waitress working at a local diner, he is a budding reporter working for a local newspaper, they both happen to fall head over heels in love at first sight after their first date. But as their two best friends Shirly(Chloe Zubiri) and Gus(Cameron Gilliam)get involved their "help" ends up causing more harm than good and soon the newly formed romance must find its way out of its rocky start. 

The entire cast that is assembled is fantastic, with both leads delivering such emotion and consciousness to their roles. That being said the soul of this production and a lot of its success resides in its ensemble, there is a quite a bit of pressure to sing and dance a dozen well written energetic songs. And It is safe to say they gloriously rise to the occasion again, and again. It is rare to see such a powerful collective of performers brought together for one show, each one delivers a stand out performance. 

Musical the original songs are a feel-good throwback tribute to the fun 50's era music, the soundtrack could easily belong in the same conversation with past classics such as White Christmas and Singing in the Rain, they are complemented beautifully by Coppola's well put together direction and choreography.
 
Cancer is a topic that affects most people, current statistics state that little over one out of every three people will experience a diagnosis. This emotionally engaging musical takes a tragic event and reminds us that so much beauty and wonder can appear during painful times. By the end of the show, everyone in the audience had cried, laughed, and everything in between. The heartfelt standing ovation it received at the end, was extremely well deserved. 

I would encourage you to go out and get your tickets, but unfortunately, you cannot. Lets Write a Musical, has sold out its entire run at this year Hollywood Fringe Festival. You can cross your fingers and hope that it is extended for an encore performance(If that is the case don't miss your chance a second time), but If you are not able to see it this go around, I am confident this isn't the final stop of the journey for this terrific production.

Bravo Lawrie, I never had the opportunity to meet Ben, but the amount of love and support you had for each other is unmistakable. It was a real privilege to be able to attend this show 

Crew:
Musical Director: Ron Barnett.
Costumes:Rob Saduski.
Consulting Producer: Matthew Quinn.
Associate Producer: Misty McClure