"Nine" The Musical makes area debut by Moonlight Players of Clermont

What comes after eight and a half? If it has a story line about the life of Italian film-maker Federico Fellini, it has to be “Nine,” the musical by the Moonlight Players now playing at the Warehouse Theatre in Clermont.

Movie director Guido Contini (Ashley Richards) at 40 is facing a premature mid-life crisis. He has promised to start filming a script which is still a seed in his mind. His search to crack the “writer’s block” leads him back to his childhood, his fascination with women, and his not-yet-broken marriage of 20 years.



Nicholas Neto, Richards, Bryce Hall

Guido is taunted, teased, and tempted by seventeen women of his past. While this sounds like a dream role, Richards (the only adult male in the cast) has his work cut out for him. Coming off a solid supporting role in “Dracula” at Bay Street, Richards handles every part of his assignment well in this difficult interpretation.

Long suffering wife Luisa is played by Joelle Hall and Denise Truscott takes the part of Guido’s mother in flashbacks. Mistresses of variety are played by Kashla Perez, Teresa Smith, Leslie Howe, Liz Collado, and Nina Neto.

One flashback has young Guido with three classmates using tambourines. Here is a rare opportunity to see youngsters really having a disciplined, yet fun time on stage.

Music is nicely provided by Dan Martin and does not overpower the singers.

Veteran performer Denise Glicker’s clear diction and projection in a supporting role is an example for the less experienced actors to follow.

The show opened on Broadway in 1982 and won a Tony Award for best musical. The film version was launched in 2009.

The Moonlight Player’s “Nine” is the first showing of this musical in the North-Central region of Florida. Director Jan Sheldon takes a calculated risk in this selection. The biggest question is not the acting or music, but for whom the musical is really for. It is a question I cannot answer.

To make your own choice, click on the icon on the left for further information. Be mindful that this may be your only opportunity to see “Nine” locally. The show runs through February 12.

NOTE:

Hats off to George Perez for his partial sponsorship of this show. Perez is internationally recognized as an award winning comic book artist. He has currently been drawing the designs for the play bill covers for the Moonlight players.