Dames At Sea at Theatre At The Center

Let's Play at ChicagoNow - Recommended

"...Director and choreographer Linda Fortunato assembled a well- rounded cast of six for this nostalgic musical out at sea for the appealing period flavor of the parody songs, that were built around phrases borrowed from or close to actual songs of the genre. Dames At Sea is still making some big waves in 2019 on a small stage in Indiana!"

Around The Town Chicago - Recommended

"...Yes, it is “hokey” with a CAPITAL H! Theatre at The Center never promised you a “rose garden”, only an entertaining evening, and this they have produced for all. The show lasts less than two hours including a 15 minute intermission and has some delightful numbers such as, “Broadway Baby”, “Choo-Choo Honeymoon”, “Raining In My Heart”, “There’s Something About You”, “Wall Street”, “Good Times Are Here To Stay” and the finale, “Let’s Have A Simple Wedding”. There are more and each and every song has a little dance to it. The tap numbers are extraordinary. White the numbers never quite have the impoact of “42nd Street”, the show that it truly parodies, this energetic and talented cast, truly entertains us and we walk away from the theater with a warm feeling and a smile on our faces. What else can you expect?"

Chicago Theatre Review - Highly Recommended

"...This scrumptious Broadway bonbon is like a combination of "42nd Street," "Anything Goes" and "On the Town." In addition to an affable, accomplished cast, this production features a gorgeous, ambidextrous scenic design by Jessie Howe, that magically transforms from a Broadway theater into a naval battleship. The show is nicely lit by Guy Rhodes with an excellent sound design by Barry G. Funderburg. Accented by Kevin Barthel's perky period wigs and hair designs, Brenda Winstead has divinely captured the look of the Golden Era, with her neat nautical numbers and flashy costumes that sparkle with appropriate glitz and glamour. The entire visual effect is pure Broadway."

Chicagoland Musical Theatre - Somewhat Recommended

"...Bursting with glamorous performance and lavish design, Theatre at the Center does its best with the flawed libretto of Dames at Sea. This production is a beautifully-crafted ship set upon the choppy waters of the source material. Unfortunately, the glam and pizzaz of the production design may not be able to hide the libretto’s faults. This musical is passionately danced and beautifully sung, yet the blast-to-the-past antiquity of the material feels less nostalgic for a bygone “golden age” and more like a dusty skeleton in the attic of the musical theatre canon — one that is no longer congruous with the progress of a socially conscious theatrical community."

Chicago Theater and Arts - Highly Recommended

"...What’s not to love about a show that opens with a rousing tap number? Nothing, it turns out. “Dames at Sea,” the newest production at the Theatre at the Center in Munster, IN, is pure campy fun, from the first minute to the last."

NewCity Chicago - Highly Recommended

"...As our country once more erupts in vociferous, political disagreement, “Dames At Sea” invites us to board and be whisked away again. Theatre at the Center chose to mount the original, small-cast, Off-Broadway version of the show, which gives the audience the face time to fall in love with all six performers. Get yourself to Munster and let these kids tap your troubles away."