“Double Trouble”

[rating=3] Porchlight  Music Theatre has been one of Chicago’s finest stepping stones for young actors, who love musical theater , for many years. Most of teh shows they have presented have been large scale musicals, using one or two Equity actors and a slew of some of Chicago’s finest young hopefuls ( who as the years mount up, become names and talents that hit other area stages) in their current production, the Chicago premiere of “Double Trouble”, a new musical written by two brothers ( Bob and Jim Walton) about two brothers, Jimmy and Bobby  and are played by two brothers, Adrian and Alexander Aguilar. How about that. The story in this zany 1940’s musical is about the brothers , Jimmy ( Adrian Aguilar) and Bobby ( Alexander Aguilar) who have been brought to Hollywood to write a hit song for a new movie musical. The year is 1941 and these two brothers have just a short time to satisfy the studio head. This could change their lives.

Directed by Matthew Crowle who also handles the choreography, this is a dazzling display of the talents of the Aguilar brothers and while the script and even some of the musical numbers are not “must see” the work of these two talented actors/singers/dancers is a special event for theater audiences as they take on many roles/characters and do some of the quickest costume ( and character) changes I have ever seen. Jeffrey D. Kmiec’s set is a typical farce set in that there are many doors and even a few windows that are required in the slamming of throughout the show. In the case of this clever script, they use a few body doubles and some great tapes in making us feel that there are at least ten different characters ( all played by these two actors) who go through one door as one character and come right back through another as a different character or even gender. Amazing!

Jack Hawkins ( Sound),Kevin Barthel( Wigs) ,Chris Gekas(Projections), William Kirkham(Lighting),Alexia Rutherford ( costumes) and Angela M. Campos( properties) all add to making this a special evening of theater. Linda Madonia handles the musical direction which is filled with song and dance 1940’s numbers. Ones you will enjoy, but will not remember. You will laugh at the crazy and hokey antics of these two brothers and the characters they encounter- you will be reminded of the old Donald O’Conner, Danny Kaye and Gene Kelly musicals that were of that era, but of the greatest importance is that you will see two very talented performers steal your hearts for two hours ( total time with an intermission). In fact, if I were to do a second rating for the talented performers, it would have to be[rating=5].

“”Double Trouble” will continue at Stage 773 located at 1225 West Belmont Avenue through October 6th with performances as follows:

Fridays at 8 p.m.

Saturdays at 4 and 8 p.m.

Sundays at 2 p.m.

Tickets are $39 /general admission and can be purchased at the box office, by phone at 773-777-9884 or online at www.porchlightmusictheatre.org

There is street parking, valet parking and if you are dining at Cooper’s ( great BBQ pulled pork) , they offer free parking in the rear

To see what others are saying, visit www.theatreinchicago.com, go to Review Round-up and click at “Double Trouble”