Review: 'It Shoulda Been You' by Goshen Players

Goshen, CT - ‘It Shoulda Been You’ marks the first time that I have written two reviews of a single production; faithful readers will remember that I have reviewed children’s shows with double casts when I attended two performances. I did not know until I arrived to the final dress in Goshen that a major player in the cast had caught strep throat from one of her children and that she intended to go on anyway. Juliette Koch’s performance was admirable despite the feeling of glass shards in her throat; after the curtain call, the talented community theatre actress wished aloud to me that I could return to hear her sing “Jenny’s Blues” when her voice was back to normal. I was thrilled when I realized that I had an opening on my schedule and I managed to get the last ticket to the Saturday performance.

The seat I was assigned was a spectacular one. Seated next to me was the girlfriend on Eric Lindblom, the lovely community theatre performer L. Nagel. She had come to see Eric shine in the role of Marty Kaufman, the ex-boyfriend of the bride. Adding to my audience member experience was the moment when the gentleman seated behind me got out of his chair to allow Mr. Lindblom himself to sit in it until the point early in the show where Ms. Koch’s character Jenny Steinberg accidentally calls Marty on her cellphone and he begins his performance while seated at my table. Even though I knew it was coming, it was still a thrill to witness his entrance so up close and personal, as was catching up with and enjoying this wonderful show with Ms. Nagel.

So now I can comment upon all of the actors in this show that was somehow even better the second time around. Ms. Koch brought oodles of charm to the starring role of the older unmarried sister of the bride and with her voice virtually back to normal, the musical numbers sounded spectacular. From “I Never Wanted This,” to that touching “Jenny’s Blues,” the singer’s performance sounded like her duet with her onstage sister: “Perfect.” Kudos to Ms. Koch on being such a trooper and for giving me the chance to witness it.

“Juliette dedicates her performance to one special angel who is watching from the front row, cheering her on for sure.”

Colleen Renzullo in the role of the Jewish Mother (with a capital “M”) of the bride could not have been more spot on; whether delivering a one-line zinger or “not interring” in the wedding or her children’s lives, this theatre veteran brought it all to this wonderful character and looked fabulous while doing so. Robert Kwalick (‘Two by Two’ in Goshen) was just perfect in the role of her husband Murray Steinberg, who loves his daughter but is just a little afraid of his wife.

The Catholic parents of the groom were brought to life by Elyse Jasensky (‘Follies’ at the Warner) as the soused mother Georgette Howard and the inimitable Steve Sorriero as the tightly wound father George. Her standout number was “Where Did I Go Wrong?” and he was easily able to shine while performing a soft-shoe dance with his son in “Back in the Day.” Their handsome son was played wonderfully by Jonathan Zalaski (Princeton in the Warner’s ‘Avenue Q’); best wishes to this talented young man as he heads to Marymount Manhattan College in NY to study musical theatre.

Lynne Wilson, the current President of Goshen Players, was a hoot as both the hotel waiter Mimsey and the bride’s nosy Aunt Sheila. Conrad Sienkiewicz stepped into the role of a hotel waiter and the very Jewish Uncle Morty and was very funny as both. Jennifer Sokira, often seen on the stage of Two Planks Theatre Company in Monroe, sang so very well as the young bride Rebecca and Lauren Monge made her Goshen Players debut as the lovely co-maid of honor. Joe Guttadauro (Reggie in Goshen’s ‘First Date’) stepped up to play the best man Greg Madison and did a great job.

I told Ms. Dmytryck at intermission that Roger Grace of Warren came close to completely stealing the show in the role of the fearless wedding planner Albert. She replied that she breathed a sigh of relief when this talented actor showed up for auditions because she knew she had found her Albert. This gentleman reminded me of the wedding stylist and designer Randy on TLC’s ‘Say Yes to the Dress’ and could deadpan with the best of them. I eventually remembered his performance as Wilbur in Landmark’s ‘Hairspray’ and Rogers in the Warner’s ‘And Then There Were None,’ and I look forward to seeing him again on any stage.

As for Mr. Lindblom, I realized during this performance as the ex-boyfriend that the charm he brings to every role puts him dangerously close to the level of my favorite onstage guy Chuck Stango. It was such a pleasure to experience the beginning of his entrance to the stage right behind me and he lit up that stage every time he entered, usually at a run. His sharp comedic timing was most evident in the charming number “It Shoulda Been You” performed with the elder members of the Jewish family. Mr. Lindblom most recently appeared in ‘First Date’ in Goshen, as well as Philip Lombard in the Warner’s ‘And Then There Were None,’ and can now be heard every Saturday morning from 9 - 10 as the host of FM 97.3 WZBG’s ‘Backstage.’

I am compelled to add that the live music of the orchestra in the basement, under the direction of Jim Luurtsema that was in the house via monitor, sounded even better than I remembered. Kudos to the entire musical team.

Click here to read the first part of the this review written after the final dress rehearsal.

Nancy Sasso Janis has been writing theatre reviews since 2012 as a way to support local theatre venues and she posts reviews of well over 100 productions each year. In 2016, she became a member of the Connecticut Critics Circle. She continues to contribute theatre news, previews, and audition notices to local Patch sites. Reviews of all levels of theatrical productions are posted on Naugatuck Patch and the Patch sites closest to the venue. Follow the reviewer on her Facebook pages Nancy Sasso Janis: Theatre Reviewer and Connecticut Theater Previews and on Twitter @nancysjanis417