OREM — If a generous dose of hilarity and mayhem is the prescription for a great night at the theater, then the SCERA Center for the Arts in Orem is the place for laughter when the '60s comedy musical spoof "It's a Bird, It's a Plane, It's Superman," soars onto the indoor stage.
With an evil mad scientist who wants to control the universe, a conniving girl who wants to steal Superman from Lois Lane and a reporter whose mission is to uncover the identity of the Man of Steel, the show has all the elements of over-the-top characters and funny dialogue.
Add the campy kitsch that made "Batman" a cult hit of the '60s — including a song called "Pow, Bam, Zonk!" — and it becomes a colorful comic book sprung to life.
"This show is silly, silly, silly," says Mindy Young, director and choreographer. "I'm excited to introduce this fun show to Utah audiences. It's not like the movie, nor does it have the seriousness of the TV show 'Smallville.' The music and lyrics are from Strouse and Adams, the same team that composed 'Bye, Bye Birdie' and 'Annie."'
The script incorporates Chinese acrobats taking advantage of James Lo from Taiwan, who is currently studying at Meridian School. He is a member of the Flying Lings, an actual Chinese acrobat who studied Chinese folk dance for six years and was the champion of Chinese folk dance in Taipei County.
The cast of "Superman" includes Phil Erickson as Superman (suiting up in the tights for his second time in the role), Karissa Flanagan as Lois Lane, Kevin Goertzen as narcissistic reporter Max Mencken, whose stories keep getting bumped from the front page by new Superman exploits, and Corinne Mayberry as the moll girlfriend of mad scientist Abner Sedgewick, played by Marc Haddock. "Marc is hilarious. He has the best evil laugh I have ever heard," Young said.
Set designer David Whitlock has created a stage that looks as if Superman has crashed into the city of Metropolis and unearthed chunks of sidewalk. Cole Adams is light designer. Costume designer Lisa Giacoletto researched early '60s costumes to create bold, stylized outfits. Jeremy Showgren is the music director.
"Superman" is the opening event of the 2006-2007 SCERA Encore Season.
Each Saturday, SCERA will present Superhero Adventure parties for kids at noon. Superman and other heroes will be there, and the event includes lunch, photos with Superman, games and activities. Tickets are $12. Reservations must be made.
If you go . . .
What: "It's a Bird, It's a Plane, It's Superman"
Where: SCERA Showhouse Theater, 745 S. State, Orem
When: 7:30 p.m., Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Mondays, Sept. 15-Oct. 2 (2 p.m. matinees on Saturdays)
Cost: $12 adults/$10 children
Phone: 225-2569
Web: www.scera.org