Stunt Girl deserves headlines and kudos

Pam Stevens

Being a strong, independent woman in the early 1900s was not typical and trying to become a female newspaper reporter in the early 1900s was almost impossible. If you were going to succeed, you needed a gimmick.

Nellie Bly, an up and coming investigative journalist makes her way to New York City and lands a job with Joseph Pulitzer after promising him she will do whatever it takes to get a story, including having herself committed to the Women’s Lunatic Asylum on Blackwell’s Island.

This heart-warming, funny and musically intelligent play is definitely for adults with some swearing and adult storylines. However, it is well worth your time to head to Everett and see this production at Village Theatre’s Mainstage at the Everett Performing Arts Center.

The show is directed by Steve Tomkins who also directed their production of Beauty and the Beast, which was ridiculously wonderful. He does it again in this fast-paced musical.

Sarah Chalfy plays the adventurous and driven Nellie who trades love for prominence and wealth and soon realizes that the life she has chosen is hell. Her word, not mine.

Love triangles ensue and Nellie’s love interest, Arthur Brisbane who also works for the same newspaper, sings like an angel, especially when he is longing for Nellie’s love.

Brisbane’s character is played by Dane Stokinger, who does a superb job in this role.

The set design for Stunt Girl is simple yet relays exactly what the audience needs to know about each location and the time period.

Kudos to Stunt Girl and it’s cast. Their voices harmonize perfectly, the music is clever, witty and tells the story of Nellie’s life in the 1900’s to perfection and the orchestra is superb.

If you get the chance, take a trip across the trestle and see Stunt Girl.

Stunt Girl is playing through May 24 at the Everett Performing Arts Center and tickets cost $16 to $51.

To purchase tickets contact the box office at 425-257-8600 or 888-257-3722 or at www.villagetheatre.org

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