Posted inCulture

Sweet Claustrophobia: 2nd Street Theatre puts on a big show in Sweet Charity

That’s what we call a dress rehearsal. It's the opening night of Sweet Charity at 2nd Street Theatre and it's a full house in the tiny theater. As a Second Street Theatre virgin I am surprised by how small the theater really is. While some would call this an "intimate" setting, I am more concerned that if there is a fire, or if this happens to be a sort of Cats-like production where the cast interacts with the audience, I won't be able to get out of the theater fast enough and will therefore either die in the flames or be arrested for punching an overzealous actor. The show could not start soon enough. As the show tunes crank out of the sound system, the lights shine on a young couple standing by the left edge of the stage.
 
Sweet Charity  tells the story of a young woman named Charity Hope Valentine who works at a dance hall in New York City as a sort of dance partner for hire. The play begins with Charity being pushed into Central Park Lake by her boyfriend. Charity later meets Oscar Lindquist, a nerdy tax accountant. The two fall madly in love until Oscar learns of Charity's occupation as a dance hall hostess. The play ends with Charity again being pushed into Central Park Lake by Oscar and then emerging (presumably with hepatitis or some other water-borne disease by this point) optimistic that she will some day find love and get away from the dance hall. The musical numbers include hits like "Big Spender" and "If My Friends Could See Me Now."

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