Sweet Charity now playing at the Maltz Jupiter Theatre through January 29, 2023
Tickets HERE
Maltz Jupiter Theatre
1001 E. Indiantown Road, Jupiter FL 33477
Some people go through life leading with their heart. Others are hopelessly practical and live rationally. While most of us live somewhere in the middle, we often wish we could be at either extreme. Charity Hope Valentine is definitely a heart-leading lady, and a love hopeful. If you haven’t met her yet, you get to do so this month in Sweet Charity, at the Maltz Jupiter Theatre.
You’ve probably heard of Sweet Charity, Bob Fosse’s directorial debut in 1966. And yes that was over 50 years ago but the elements of this story translate perfectly even to our online dating days. Jennifer Sanchez plays Charity: it is a personal opinion that she starts a bit underplayed. Maybe it was opening night jitters, maybe it was intentional; but just as you start to question her range, she wins the room over with her impeccable comedic timing and a well trained voice. 15 minutes go by and she has the entire room wrapped around the story. Sanchez and her time in the stage closet is a scene you won’t forget. This is a character that is a bit down on her luck, but you SO want her to succeed.
This play is like a good umami, where you have the sweet, the tart, and the crisp. Charity’s “co-workers” give her reality checks and keep her grounded. Erin Kei and Ashley McManus play Charity’s phenomenal, hopelessly practical friends. Nickie and Helene will remind you of those dear friends that allow you to stumble through life and do dumb things, knowing they will always have your back! Early in the show you get to see the 3 ladies and ensemble belt out “Big Spender” and let me tell you, the dancing is on point! The Maltz lighting is probably at its best here. It does look like one of those old-school dance halls.
Charity’s endless quest for love takes her all sorts of places; serendipity provides several potential boyfriends but mainly Oscar. On this stage, Oscar is played by Jesse Swimm, who flies through the very physical role. Back to the umami, it is unclear which element he plays, but Oscar gets you to love him, dislike him, understand him, and realize you have been him at some points. Mainly in the end you understand him. This is a comedy that to remind you to live your full truth, under full sails, surrounded by people who ground you and make you better.
The Maltz Theatre is a production theater, everything is done in-house. You won’t see this production anywhere else.
By Jorge Perez
