The University of Cincinnati's Clermont College presented the Beechmont Players in their production of The Confidence Man, this past weekend.
The musical is loosely based on the novel by Herman Melville of the same name.
Vernon Burns played the Confidence Man, a trickster who cons people out of their money in a ploy to gain their confidence. The Confidence Man disguises himself in many ways - as a cripple and a beggar, a religious man and a businessman, all in an attempt to discover the goodness and confidence in mankind.
Melville's intention in creating this character was not to mock the people in society that he represents, but to depict them as they were perceived in Melville's book, according to director James Updike.
The Confidence Man takes place in 1861 aboard The Mississippi Steamboat Fidele, during the Civil War.
Musical numbers such as "Pitch Penny" and "A Maiden is only as Maiden as she feels" kept the audience laughing but also showcased the vocal talent of the cast, especially Hillary Ran, who played a girl aboard the ship.
Ran has appeared in other Beechmont Players productions including, Don't Dress for Dinner and Blithe Spirit.
Also impressive was the music, which was composed by Bobby Blume and written by Jim Steinman.
Consisting of a live orchestra, the musical featured some of cabaret and Broadway's brightest stars. The CD to the musical was sold at the Auditorium and a portion of the proceeds will benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.
James and Sarah Updike directed the musical and developed two main criteria for: they wanted it to be entertaining, as well as make the audience feel something.
They hoped that the audience leaves thinking a little bit about Melville's quest for the understanding of the nature of man.
James Updike has been acting since the eighth grade and has been a part of the community theatre for the past 18 years. He has played such roles as Dracula and is also an aspiring writer, winning the Writer's Digest Award for a short story in 2000.
Sarah has lived in the United States for only five years and has been involved with several community theater shows, such as Cannibal! The Musical.
The audience enjoyed many humorous scenes, one in particular portraying a coughing miser, played by Larry Behymer.
Another scene about an injured soldier quieted the auditorium, even soliciting a delayed applause.
Burns' and Ran's performances stuck out as exceptional. Ran's voice hit beautiful notes, and Burns really let the thirst of the Confidence Man's search for goodness shine through.
While some voices were a little off the mark, overall, the musical was a success, inspiring thought, laughter and, in some cases, tears among audience members.
It included many talented actors and singers, and it is clear that a lot of work was put into the production. The Confidence Man was not a bad way to spend a Saturday night.
The Beechmont players are a 100-member community theatre group serving the eastern section of Cincinnati.
The Players will be back in February with the slapstick comedy Caught in the Net and Moon Over Buffalo in March.
All shows are performed in Krueger Auditorium on Clermont campus, and tickets can be purchased by calling (513) 682-9090.