Continuing her run of roles made famous by musical theater legends, local legend-in-the-making Taylor Bartolucci-DeGuilio follows now in the footsteps of Julie Andrews, playing a woman who impersonates a man who impersonates a woman, in Blake Edwards’ 1995 stage musical Victor/Victoria, based on the 1982 hit movie. The show recently opened on the G.K. Hardt Stage at Sixth Street Playhouse.
As Victoria, a penniless English soprano who winds up homeless and hungry in 1933 Paris, Bartolucci-DeGuilio is charming and convincing, but the show is no solo act; under the unflashy direction of Michael Ross, the entire cast shines. As Toddy, the aging gay cabaret singer who befriends Victoria and engineers her transformation into Count Victor, Poland’s most acclaimed female impersonator, Tim Setzer puts his own stamp on a role originally created by Robert Preston.
Abbey Lee, however, as Norma Cassidy—the hilarious moll to gangster King Marchan (Anthony Guzman)—steals the show. Though the ending misses the mark—blame Blake Edwards—this production is light and fluffy, and the performances will leave a lingering impression.
Victor/Victoria runs Thursday–Sunday, Jan. 10–Feb. 2 at Sixth Street Playhouse. 52 W. Sixth St., Santa Rosa. Thursday–Saturday at 8pm’ 2pm matinees Saturday–Sunday. $15–$35. 707.523.4185.
