THE SMART SET (aka SAVE ME THE WALTZ ):

Set in the 20's in the south of France. A story of love, betrayal and redemption.

The Providence Journal Theater Review
by Sandor Bodo

The space is limited and the cast green, but the chance to hear more music from South County composer Enrico Garzilli is well worth the price of admission. Garzilli's The Smart Set, a musical about the tempestuous relationship between author F. Scott Fitzgerald and troubled wife Zelda is enjoying a decent run at Wakefield's Cornerstone Playhouse, a 50-seat theater that's connected to the quaint True Brew Café on Robinson Street.

The show, which runs through Aug. 19, has drawn on a young cast of teenagers and college students who have poured their hearts and souls into this clever, tuneful musical. Yes, some of the singing is hit or miss, some of the acting a bit forced. But by and large the leads are solid, with recent Prout graduate Christopher Dieman doing a credible job as the insecure and alcoholic Fitzgerald and University of Rhode Island junior Lara Maynard as Zelda. Maynard had a bit of a wobble to her voice at Thursday's opening, but she had her moments too, and managed to convey the pain and confusion that was so much a part of Zelda's crumbling life.

But this is a show that begs to be seen and heard on a grander stage, with an orchestra — not just a pianist. The Cornerstone is pretty claustrophobic, with a low ceiling, posts to work around, limited lighting and just enough room to stash a couple of props in the wings.

It would be nice to see this tale of romance and ruin told at a house like Theatre by the Sea or even the Providence Performing Arts Center, where Garzilli's Michelangelo recently took center stage.

Even in these cramped quarters, though, The Smart Set is still something to admire, especially the songs, most of which are jazz-laced or graceful ballads with a Puccini-esque lushness.

It's basically the story of a bored and frustrated Zelda who hooks up with a French aviator named Edouard, while Scott is busy penning Tender is the Night and drinking himself to death. Sparks fly between Zelda and a young Ernest Hemingway, who has just written The Sun Also Rises and is a big supporter of Scott. Zelda seems jealous of their friendship and at one low point accuses Scott of being Hemingway's lover.

The circle of smart setters also includes arts patrons Gerald and Sara Murphy, who supported Hemingway and who entertained the writers in their home on the Riviera.

Zelda becomes hopelessly torn between the two men in her life. She is tired of her husband's lack of attention, as he works on his novel and nurses fifths of Bombay Gin. She is swept away by the suave, romantic Edouard, who promises to whisk her off to Paris where she can fulfill her dreams of becoming a ballerina. But she can't seem to give up Scott. As he says, he and Zelda have a history together, they know things about one another that no one else can know.

And Scott seems to find some sort of inspiration from Zelda's presence. She is his editor, nurse and harshest critic.

She is also fragile. As she sings the infectious "Save Me the Waltz," she repeats the words "save me, save me," and she's not just talking about a dance.

Maynard would have scored more points had she had a more centered voice, but there was a lot of passion in her portrayal of Zelda. Dieman, who is off to New York University's Tisch School of the Arts in the fall, played up Fitzgerald's black side, his depressed, weepy self, who promises to be more attentive when Zelda threatens to leave him.

At times Dieman seemed overly earnest, but there were moments too, when he nailed the character.

Probably the best voice on stage belonged to Theresa Masse, who was a natural as Sara Murphy, the woman who has to brush off the advances of Hemingway as they loll about on the beach. Masse, who will be a freshman at Emerson College in Boston, is a charmer.

Benjamin Grills made a dashing enough Gerald Murphy, but had real vocal problems in his duet with Masse, "Now and Forever." W. Matthew LeClair was a smooth Hemingway, playing the part with appropriate swagger and bravado. And Jo-Anna Colangelo, an experienced singer, was strong as the flapper Josephine, who does something of a winning striptease routine in "What's a Girl to Wear."

Jack Stupinski managed to sustain a French accent as Edouard, even in his singing. And he added nice touches to the fine vocal trio between him, Dieman and Maynard, "Fly Away with Me Tonight." The number was like something out of a Verdi opera.

While there are no sets per se, just props that consisted of a chaise, writing table and bar, Elsie Collins came up with some stylish costumes, including tuxes and a head band with peacock feathers for Masse. Olga Timokhin was responsible for the choreography, which included a brief but erotic romp between Zelda and Edouard.

The Cornerstone Playhouse is on Robinson Street in Wakefield in a former saw mill. Look for the sign for the True Brew Café. Tickets to The Smart Set, which runs through Aug. 19, 2007 are $25, $20 for seniors and students, and $15 for children under 12. Call (401) 783-8827.