“Li’l Abner” brings the hillbillies of Dogpatch, USA to UCLA.
Based on Al Capp’s 1934-1977 cartoon strip set in the fictional town, “Li’l Abner,” the musical merges the over-the-top acting, general corniness and lighthearted spirit typical of traditional musical theater with the humor of comics.
The story follows Abner, an all-American built and bonny boy, who is literally chased by Daisy Mae, blonde and beautiful, so that she can marry him on Sadie Hawkins Day, as is the tradition in Dogpatch. But conflict and comedy arises when the government decides to use the town to test atomic bombs because there is nothing worth saving in Dogpatch.
Eric Martsolf (Abner) is vocally strong as well as physically strong, taking over the stage with his manly physique. However he does not contribute much to show comedically, his best numbers are love songs with costar Brandi Burkhardt (Daisy Mae). Burkhardt is delightful, carefully balancing the innocence and flirtatiousness that the role requires.
However the strongest performance in the show is by Cathy Rigby as Mammy Yokum. She upstages the other actors with her ability to morph into the physical properties of the character, a small but feisty old woman who carries a pipe and wears the pants in the family, even in a skirt.
Mammy Yokum is vaguely reminiscent of a member of the Lollipop Guild from Oz with her striped tights, shaky voice, tough mannerisms and short stature. Rigby draws from her experience as an Olympic gymnast and does more impressive physical acrobatic dancing than anyone else in the show.
The dancing in “Li’l Abner,” choreographed by Lee Martino, is inconsistent in quality, going from the well-thought out and visually exciting routines to boring slap-and-clap combinations. Despite the loose style of dancing used to provoke a comedic country feel, the performers should still be dancing in unison in a professional production.
Besides timing, other little things were off (which can make all the difference in the aesthetic of dance) such as one dancer who continually thrust her chest up and down when the rest of the cast was doing a simple body bounce.
The show relies heavily on its ensemble, comprised of solid singers and dancers who play various comedic townsfolk, dressed in brightly colored hick attire. A particular standout is Ray Garcia, an ensemble member who plays Clem Scragg, a relative of Daisy Mae. His substantial tenor voice is often heard above others even when the dramatic attention is not focused on him.
The technical elements of the show make for a smooth run. The orchestra, placed directly on the stage between two-dimensional comic strip-like mountains, literally blends in with the sunset and adds a large source of energy and excitement to the show from the first to the last note.
One of the most memorable numbers in the show was “Oh Happy Day,” featuring Larry Cedar as Dr. Finsdale. With ebullient singing scientists, it is like North Campus meets South Campus, a little scary but hilariously entertaining.
“Li’l Abner” is an enchanting production and a good way to relieve midterm stress; student tickets are available the day of for $20.
If you are in the mood for something light and airy, “Li’l Abner” is a treat.