"eLove - a Musical.com/edy" deserves a big :-)

Theatre Review

The Victory Theatre Center´s new "eLove, a Musical.com/edy," staring Lloyd Pedersen and Bobbi Stamm, overflows with energy, charm and a witty humor that will entertain and inspire anyone who has ever "looked for love."

Set on a tiny stage artfully divided to reveal the interiors of two apartments, this delightful "cyber love story" follows the lives of a middle-aged man and woman – newly single and alone on a Saturday night – as they search for happiness anywhere they can… including online.

At first they revel in their newfound freedom, gleefully singing "I´m Single" while they unwind after a hard day´s work.

However, boredom and loneliness soon set in and Frank calls a buddy hoping to catch a few beers with him at a local bar. But (gasp!) the man has a date!

Carol phones one of her friends, suggesting a "girl´s night out," only to receive the same disturbing answer. Even their pets (a tortoise and goldfish respectively) are dull and unresponsive.

Slumped in their separate chairs with glasses of bubbly, they have a "Pity Party."

As a last resort, they decide to join the Internet dating site, eLove, hoping to find a ´perfect match.' In a witty, fast-paced, dual-action scene, the audience watches (and laughs) as the two invent screen names (his is ´hardwired´) and exaggerate their good points while downplaying their faults.

Finally – not expecting much, but still hoping – they simultaneously punch the "send" key.

While they wait, they experience second thoughts, pace their apartments, and nervously sip drinks and munch on snacks. The suspense ends when they hear the familiar chime and "You´ve Got Mail!" announcement.

Excited and terrified, eBoy types in "hi!" and officially meets eGirl. Jittery and scared, she responds, and before long their fingers are flashing across their laptops engrossed in discovering each other.

At midnight, after a chocolate break for her, and a nuts & pretzel break for him, they decide to play "Truth or Dare," and disclose what they hate most about their ex-mates. As they get "down and dirty" and "tell all" in the slightly risqué, "My Ex," they are at first shocked and incensed by what the other has had to endure.

They sympathize and commiserate until a single incident he describes changes everything…

"eLove" is a bright, big-hearted musical, written by Wayland Pickard (original book, music and lyrics) and directed and choreographed by Cate Caplin. The story is funny, romantic and optimistic.

The choreography is deft and eye pleasing, the actors´ natural but precise and well-planned movements giving the allusion of a much larger stage. The Fred Astaire-style dance number is especially enjoyable.

Pederson (looking like a young, trim, Edward G. Robinson) is appealing as eBoy/Frank; his singing and speaking voice both strong and (can we say it?) seductive.

Stamm plays her role with style and a gutsy zeal that´s just right for the assertive, self-made eGirl/Carol. Her dance number with the feather boa is hilarious.

"eLove" plays Saturdays at 8:00 pm and Sundays at 4:00 pm through March 29. Tickets are $25, with discounts for seniors, students and groups.

For reservations, call (818) 841-5422 or visit www.elove-themusical.com or call the box office at (818) 841-5422.

The Victory Theatre Center is located at 3326 W. Victory Blvd (near Hollywood Way) in Burbank, CA 91505. There is plenty of on-street parking.