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STANDARD DISCLAIMER

I am not worthy of any detailed critique of any theater production. I simply enjoy reflecting on shows I’ve seen and these are what my ignorant observations and failing memory recall so it should be read with that in mind.  - JW

by Jon Wright

I’ll Be Seeing You is simply put, a great show. Filled to the brim and overflowing with music and moments that detail the lives to two lovers brought together by the 2nd World War and separated by the same event. The show has one overwhelming shortcoming or maybe longcoming would be a better word. In this day and age where 1½ hour
musicals have dictated the average theater attendee’s attention, it was a magnificent production, really well done, it was also a marathon. Someone seated at my table remarked at the end of the show that it “gave you a real feel for just how long World War II was.”

Casey J. Ryan portrays the real life trombone jazzman turned army man Don Waful. We watch as he transforms the character from the optimistic, we’ll get through this no matter what, through the stages of depression and angst as the years pass by while kept away from his affianced. Vocally in the duet with Cassie “Let the Future Come” his voice melds perfectly from across the stage as perfectly as the lyric melds the two from across the military theater. He may be separated by miles from his girl but not from the freedom to feel and express.

Dani Gottuso plays Olga “Cassie” Casciolini with optimism. If you saw her and loved her as the “witch” in Wit’s Ends recent production of Into the Woods you will be even more impressed with her in this production. Her smile is captivating and is a perfect companion to her ever optimistic thought that she will see her Don again. Her voice is wonderful and expressive. CNY is lucky to have Dani around and doing local theatre.

The cast of characters that make up Don’s fellow prisoners of Oflag 64 include Bill Molesky as Wilbur “Tex” Davis the steady thoughtful senior ranking POW. Joe Pierce as Tom MacDougal the zealot who’s goal to escape clouds his judgment at times. Robb Sharpe as aviator Marty Weistein, Terence Lacasse as Charlie Benson and Steve Engelbrecht as Don’s misdirected boot camp buddy Bob Rosetti. Through flashbacks and dialogue we relive the events that tell the stories of their lives, their loves and what led to each one’s capture. The opening act of 2 features a really well done falsetto drag number by 4 of the “kreigies” played ostensibly to distract the German camp commandant and guards while the “bird” is listened to hear news of the war. David Witanowski playing the German camp commander displays a talent for accents as he interacts with the prisoners. As a fan of Hogan’s Heros (your hearing the theme song in your head right now aren’t you?) I occasionally found myself thinking Sergeant Shultz as Brian “Smitty” Smith portrayed the character of Karl. Later in act 2 as the war takes its inevitable turn against the 3rd Reich, Brandon Lipsett the benevolent guard Otto, wonderfully performs the Christmas hymn Silent Night a cappella and in German.

The Army nurses who compose the cadre of companions to Cassie (4c’s ha ha) are led by Arlene P. Touranjoe as Major Marnie Wyatt. Arlene as Major Wyatt, who though once or twice seemed out of step, otherwise turned in a good performance portraying the hard nosed “because I’ve got to” be leader of the Florence Nightingales. No movie or show about the war would be complete without the phrase “because I’m responsible for all of you nurses” and while no fudge hits the tent door (aka Major Houlihan of M*A*S*H*) the hard line Major utters a similar phrase before repealing her edict to drum out Pam Watson (Tina Lee Hutchison) for extra curricular activities. This of course after being entreated by the other nurses to let her stay.

Under the musical direction of Lou Lemos the entire cast performs the oft times intricate original music with true and clear phrasing. Jon Wilson directed the production and Shannon Tompkins choreographed. Costumes were by CNY Costumes (Debra Ritchey).

I guess the bottom line is, it is a well done show, long but well done. A great true story involving people from the Central New York area told through very compelling and moving dialogue and song. On a scale of 1 to 10 I give it nothing because I don’t do scales or ratings. For the record the first act ran 1 hour and 35 minutes and the second act ran 1 hour.