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	April 2008 Theatre Review by Alan Bresloff
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Check out the hottest broadway tickets from Gotickets.com Knute Rockne-All American Critical Evaluation: **** out of **** Stef Tovar stars in the World Premiere musical "Knute Rockne-All American" at Theatre at the Center.  (Right) Tovar, Dennis Kelly and Kate Fry.  Photos by Greg Kolack.  There is some magic in Munster Indiana, a new musical celebrating the life of the legendary Knute Rockne, the winningest coach in college football history.  Based on the play by Buddy Farmer, "Knute Rockne-All American" has a creative team made up of Michael Mahler (music) and David Bell with Mr. Mahler (lyrics) and directed and choreographed by Bell.  Anyone who has ever witnessed productions staged by David Bell will realize that he is one of the most creative directors/choreographers alive.  He paints the picture clearly and with just the right touch.  Young  Mr. Mahler is a genius and keeps maturing as a composer.  The music in this World Premiere is splendiferous.  I am not sure if this is a word, but I think it should be as it really tells us how wonderful the music is.  This is music that fits the era, from ragtime to jazz.  The story takes us from his immigrant days in Logan Square to his glory days at Notre Dame.  How fitting that the World Premiere take place on a stage in Indiana, only a short ride from Logan Square. Mr. Bell is a genius at story telling through his choreography and stage movement and with the music by Mahler they take us through Rockne's life in less than two hours with the audience wanting much more.  They show not just the man as a coach, but as a man who cared about his players and his school and learned the importance of his family and his extended family (Notre Dame and the "team").  Stef Tovar is a marvelous Rockne (even appearing to look like him) and shows a wide vocal range.  One cannot help but want him to succeed in every thing he does.  This is a truly perfect role for this young actor.  His wife is played by Kate Fry, one of Chicago's most gifted actresses (from Eliza Doolittle to any female in any Shakespeare play) and in this production gets to show off her voice as well as her acting prowess.  From the first time I ever saw her on stage I have been a fan, and each time I see her perform I become more so. Part of the Rockne story is always the "win one for the Gipper" line and in this production Brandon Dahlquist is a standout as George Gipp ("the gipper").  He has truly grown as an actor over these past years.  Dennis Kelly is dynamic in the dual roles of Father Walsh and Knute's father Lars, and Larry Adams handles a multitude of roles in his usual stylish way.  Ron Rains is Jimmy The Goat and Starr Busby will wow you with her "The Boy Can Play".  I have always said that the ensemble is a key ingredient to any production.  If they are strong, so is the show and this ensemble shines like the stars above.  They sing, they dance, they move scenery and curtains, and they make this production complete.  In Act II, David Bell's magic truly comes to life in "The Shift" where we see his brilliance in telling about Rockne's idea of the Four Horsemen.  This dance number is worth the trip to Indiana alone.  We also learn about how "The Gipper" lost his life and in a very touching hospital scene "Confession".  Mr. Dahlquist has his moment and we as an audience see the team in a shadow effect that will bring a tear to your eye.  Alan Edward Schwanke's set is simple but make the scene transitions flow easily to fit the story and Victoria Deiorio (Sound) and Jesse Klug (lights) add the finishing touch along with some super costuming by Nikki Delhomme. Driving out to Indiana (a short trip from Lincoln Park) I tried to think about how this story could be told as a musical.  After all I grew up with the movie (Pat O'Brien and Ronald Reagan), but driving home, I was elated with the experience I had just had.  I saw history come to life with great music, superb dancing and told by one of the best storytellers in Chicago, David Bell.  Voila!  "Knute Rockne-All American" will continue through May 11, 2008 at Theatre at the Center located at 1040 Ridge Road in Munster (just East of Route 41).  Performances are Wednesday and Thursday afternoons at 2 p.m., Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 8 p.m., Sunday at 2:30 p.m.  There are also some select performances Saturday at 2:30 p.m., Sunday at 6 p.m. and Thursday at 7:30 p.m.  Tickets range from $36-$40.  To order tickets call  219-836-3255 or 800-511-1552 or Visit www.TheatreatTheCenter.org.   About Alan Bresloff Alan Bresloff, once an actor himself, has been covering the Chicago Theater Scene since 1993, first as the Theater and Arts critic for LaRaza newspaper, then with Salsachicago.com and then onto Extra Newspaper and The EpochTimes.  He also writes for ElImparcial and TeleGuia.  His reviews can also be seen on www.theatreinchicago.com.  Alan does not call himself a "critic" but a "reviewer" as he tries to educate the reader about theater itself, what is a good value, what to look for in a play or musical and more.  "Exposure to theater is a very important part of a young person's life" he says. "Learning about the arts and culture is in fact learning about life" and he tries to explain more in his reviews than just if it is good or bad.  Even some of the poor productions have some value, he often says and he would love your feedback on shows that you have seen.  You can write him here or at albresloff@sbcglobal.net.