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South Simcoe Theatre performing musical Honeymoon in Vegas

May 9, 2024   ·   0 Comments

By Brian Lockhart

Sometimes you have to know when to hold them and know when to fold them.

Jack Singer learns some lessons the hard way during the South Simcoe Theatre’s production of “Honeymoon in Vegas,” currently on its Cookstown stage.

Based on the book by Andrew Bergman, with music and lyrics by Jason Robert Brown, and directed by Sandi LaPlante, this musical is set in three locations including Las Vegas and Hawaii.

Jack, and Betsy, are a young couple who are in love and ready to take their relationship to the next level – almost.

Taylor Byer-Nicoloff, in the role of Betsy, is eager to say ‘I do’, and looks forward to a life with Jack.

Jack, played by Connor Jesso, wants to get married, but can’t shake the ghost of his deceased mother, who for some reason, demanded he never get married.

The couple decide it’s time to get serious and fly to Las Vegas where they plan to marry quickly in one of the city’s notorious wedding chapels.

When they arrive, Betsy takes time to get some sun at the casino pool, where she is noticed by big-time gambler, Tommy Korman.

Joe Guzara, takes on the role of Tommy, as a guy who always gets what he wants, no matter what it takes.

It turns out Betsy, bears a remarkable resemblance to Tommy’s late wife, who spent too much time perfecting her poolside tan and died from skin cancer.

Tommy devises a plan that will allow him to get to know Betsy.

Jack receives an invitation to a special ‘welcome to the hotel’ poker game, which is hosted by Tommy.

The pot in the poker game grows during the evening of gambling, and eventually, there is a lot of money to be won.

In the last hand, Jack is holding a straight flush to the queen – an almost unbeatable poker hand.

Sure that he has won the hand, Jack goes all in. However, Tommy reveals his cards – a straight flush to the King.

Jack loses the hand and is now on the hook for $58,000.

Jack knows he has no way to pay this gambling debt, and is in serious trouble.

Tommy however, comes up with a solution. He says he will forgive the debt if he can spend the weekend with Betsy, as payment.

Jack has to tell Betsy he lost her in a poker game.

Out of frustration, Betsy agrees to go to Tommy’s Hawaiian residence for the weekend. Tommy deceives her with a fake family and tells her Jack lost her on a bet of only $800.

Jack realizes he has made a huge mistake, and sets out to get Betsy back and repair the broken relationship.

As a musical, the story is told mostly in song, by a full ensemble cast of 17 actors accompanied by an eight-person orchestra.

This is a highly polished production with a lot of real talent on stage and in the orchestra. From the songs and vocal performances to the beautifully created choreography and direction, Honeymoon in Vegas is a fun, humorous, play with a very professional delivery.

The costumes are fantastic and the set design is very clever and transports you to different places with minimal effort.

Honeymoon in Vegas is on the South Simcoe stage through to May 19, with 7:30 p.m., performances on Fridays and Saturdays, and a 2:00 p.m. matinee on Sundays.

You can book tickets online at www.southsimcoetheatre.com.

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