Reviewed by Karen Schwartzkopf
While Life Could Be A Dream, the latest production from Swift Creek Mill Theatre, is set in a basement, this jukebox musical quickly lifts the audience waaaaay up, then transports us back in time.
Away we go to the fifties and Springfield, USA, where doo-wop Denny and his buddy Eugene (who despite Denny’s opinion, is no loser-doozer) are trying to put together an act to compete in the local radio station’s music contest. When Wally, another former member of the high school glee club, makes his entrance, the trio appears to be set. These talented young guys knock your bobby socks off early with classics like
“Sh Boom,” “Get a Job,” and “Mama Don’t Allow It.”
The clear leader of this pack is Denny, played by Brian Baez. Jason Campbell is Wally, the gainfully employed member of the trio who worries about his reputation at the Piggly Wiggly. Ryan Lynch nails lovesick doofus Eugene, who tells the tale of his middle-school encounter with Lois, the young woman whose appearance thickens the plot midway through the first act.
Of course, Lois and her wealthy father (who owns a garage) hold the key to the group’s success, as the boys are looking for a financial backer to further their career. Lois is dispatched to listen to the boys and decide if the group is worthy of Daddy’s money. “Tears on My Pillow” was one of the night’s best numbers and it stands out now because of the comedic touch of Lynch’s Eugene during this scene. This is also the first time we meet hottie Skip (played by James Bock), the greaser turned auto-mechanic from the other side of the 
tracks, who works at the garage. Skip grabs hold of Lois’s heart and doesn’t let go, despite the efforts of every single member of the group to court the lovely Lois, portrayed by Morgan Meadows. Meadows’ vocal talents are showcased in a unique and challenging arrangement of one of my favorite oldies, “I Only Have Eyes for You.” Ultimately, Skip takes the mic, the trio becomes a quartet, and the group we come to knows as Denny and the Dreamers takes the music world by storm.
By design, the dreamiest member of the quartet is Skip and indeed, his voice was silky smooth throughout. But ultimately, the success of Life Could Be a Dream stems from the musical collaboration of this very talented cast of performers who together delivered more than twenty songs from the fifties – without missing a beat. Kudos to Dennis J. Clark, director and choreographer, for staging that never felt tired even though the entire story unfolded in Denny’s basement. Clark also delivered on choreography, branching out beyond the typical back-up, line-style dance moves.
Finally, I have to say that coming from a West Ender like myself, one of the biggest compliments to bestow on Life Could Be A Dream is to say it is completely and utterly worthy of the forty-minute drive to the beautiful Swift Creek Mill Theatre in Colonial Heights. And I will add that my date for the evening was a 13-year old “Earth Angel” (another musical highlight) who said she knew most of the songs, and if she didn’t recognize them, it didn’t matter because, “It was fun!”
In the end, that’s the real charm of a finely crafted and expertly performed jukebox musical and that is why you should see Life Could Be A Dream. Sh-boom, sh-boom!
Life Could Be A Dream is showing at Swift Creek Mill Theare through April 19, Thursday through Saturday evenings and select matinee dates. For tickets and showtimes, go here: Life Could Be A Dream or call 804-748-5203.
