Sibling Revelry

If Nearly Naked Theatre’s production of Willy Russell’s Blood Brothers were a competition instead of a superbly produced musical, then Johanna Carlisle’s performance as a working-class gal who gives her baby away would be the clear winner. And then a whole lot of other people would be tied for second place. Like Stew Jetson and Devon Nickel, the two fellows who play the titular brothers as both boys and men, and always convincingly. And musical director Mark 4man, along with every member of his live rock band, who play Russell’s score so attractively. And Damon J. Bolling, who glowers so menacingly from every corner of this wild production. And definitely director Damon Dering, who makes merging all these disparate talents look so easy, and so good.
Thursdays-Sundays; Wed., June 24, 8 p.m. Starts: June 6. Continues through June 27, 2009