Melodrama Returns To LALT Just In Time To Raise Spirits

Gaby (Joy Reynolds) is behind the bar. Regulars, from left, Slade (Craig Taylor), TJ (Patrick MacDonald), Dixie (Bresha Ibraimi) and Miguel (Bear Schacht) hang out at Boots. Courtesy/LALT

By BONNIE J. GORDON
Los Alamos Daily Post

bjgordon@ladailypost.com

Melodrama returns to Los Alamos Little Theatre (LALT) with a bang and a Texas twang this weekend.

LALT opens 2022 with the New Mexico premier of “Boots” by El Pasoans Stephanie Karr and Mark Watts. “Boots” takes place in a modern-day small town Texas bar called, you guessed it, Boots.

The bar is run by Gaby (Joy Reynolds), our damsel in distress. She’s in danger of losing Boots to her evil city slicker cousin Izzy (Jasmine Torres) and Izzy’s conniving accountant Charles (Paul Lewis). Can our hero, rancher TJ (Patrick MacDonald), save the day, with the help of a motley crew of bar regulars?

As in any good melodrama, we’re not really in suspense about the outcome. The real fun comes from the characters, played with zest by this outstanding cast. Reynolds and MacDonald manage to be upright without being sappy, showing grit and gumption by the end.

The bar regulars are just splendid. A cheater with a heart of gold, Dixie (Bresha Ibraimi) seems genuinely fond of both her husband JB (Fred Berl) and her sweetheart Slade (Craig Taylor). The rivals are a terrific pair of actors, and quite believable as Texans.

Floozy, also with a heart of gold, Wanda (Linda Taylor) is arguably the smartest character in the play underneath her shimmy and heels. In fact, the smarts beneath the down home veneer of all the characters is a major theme of “Boots”. Those city slickers don’t stand a chance. Taylor steals more than one scene and gets a lot of the laughs.

TJ’s buddie Miguel is played by Bear Schact. Obviously smart underneath an awe shucks veneer, Miguel is a bit mysterious. Schact has it nailed.

The villians, Izzy and Charles, are likewise well acted. Both have their noses firmly in the air as they set about bamboozling the locals. They earn those boos and hisses!

The final cast member, The Stranger, speaks is rhyming couplets in a smooth central Texas accent that’s a joy to listen to. You’ll have to go to the play to learn more.

Not exactly characters, but well worth a mention, are piano man Nick Denissen, who provides on stage music with verve, and card girl/singer Grace Willerton who oozes sexy fun in every step.

Director Jim Sicilian has done a great job with this comedy made melodrama. His deft hand is behind the great ensemble work of the characters. The set is perfect, and I’ve been in a lot of Texas bars so I know.

“Boots” is a great antidote to whatever is making you blue this January. Y’all come!

Attend the New Mexico premier of “Boots” at 1670 Nectar St., 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 16 and 7:30 p.m. Jan.  20, 21 and 22. Tickets are $18 general admission and $15 senior/student and available at Boomerang at 1247 Central Ave., (cash or check only) or at the door 45 minutes before curtain.

Patrons must provide proof of full COVID vaccination or negative results from a COVID test taken in the last 72 hours. Masks are required for all over two years of age.

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