'Secrets' pokes fun at travel flubs

Friday is the opening of a fast-paced musical revue based loosely on Wendy Perrin's 1997 Fodor's travel book, "Secrets Every Smart Traveler Should Know," in the Mary G. Steiner Egyptian Theater.

The revue takes audiences on a whirlwind trip through 41 countries, plus three volcanoes and four ancient ruins — merrily poking fun at nearly every travel fiasco imaginable — lost luggage, cruise-ship buffets, being stuck in customs, battling an airline-ticket agency, etc. One song, "Naked in Pittsburgh," is about a forlorn traveler whose luggage has been misrouted.

Jayne Luke is directing and choreographing a hand-picked cast of seasoned Wasatch Front performers. "We wanted middle-aged people who could perform travelers who have been through life and are looking for release from their tension," Luke said. "I wanted people who've been around. And, on the other side of that, I wanted very experienced actors and personalities who could enlarge this material."

She got pretty much just what she wanted.

The four-person cast includes Equity players Annette Wright and Kim Blackett, plus Gary Nielsen and Camille Van Wagoner — all of whom have strong credits in productions throughout the region.

In a variety of comic vignettes, strung together with several songs, they'll perform everything from a flight attendant for Miracle Airlines ("if it's a good flight . . . it's a Miracle") to a French chanteuse, a car-rental agent and folks lined up for a shipboard buffet.

Luke said the lyrics are clever. "It's a collaborative work, with at least 10 lyricists and composers listed. Each sketch is independent, but all are built around the theme of traveling.

"The strongest thing is my cast. We needed the comedy to be inherent in the people doing it, and these four give me exactly what I wanted. They balance each other so well."

Wright, who is probably best-known for her Jazz Lady commercials, appeared most recently with Blackett in Salt Lake Acting Company's production of "Bat Boy: The Musical." Nielsen and Van Wagoner have appeared at the Grand Theatre and other Wasatch Front venues.

If you go . . .

What: "Secrets Every Smart Traveler Should Know"

Where: Egyptian Theatre, 328 S. Main, Park City

When: Friday through April 3 (various times)

How much: $15-$29 (opening night, $18-$35)

Phone: 435-649-9371 or 1-888-243-5779

Web site: www.egyptiantheatrecompany.org

E-mail: ivan@desnews.com

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