Maskers’ ‘Ruthless’ inspired> Musical is a wild ride

When it comes to musicals, there are only two types of people. Those who love them and those who hate them.

The Belfast Maskers’ frisky production of “Ruthless! The Musical” is likely to close the gap between the two sides, however. There’s enough witty writing in the script by Joel Paley and enough clever music by Marvin Laird to satisfy the most implacable of critics — no matter which side they take. Add to that the expert direction by Robert Hitt and superb performances by a cast of go-get-’em actors, and it’s likely that no one will leave the theater dissatisfied.

It’s worth mentioning, however, that “Ruthless!” is no Rodgers and Hammerstein happily-ever-after waltz. At its lightest, it’s a farce about life in show biz and the horrors of the Stepford-like existence of middle-American, suburban housewives in starched A-line dresses with aprons that never get dirty. Think of Jane “His Wife” Jetson or June Cleaver, and you’ve got the picture of Judy Denmark, whose pastel life nevertheless goes technicolor when she suddenly remembers her childhood as a star’s daughter. It’s not exactly a rags-to-riches journey; it’s more like a magic carpet ride, and you’ll feel nicely hung over by the end.

At its most poignant, “Ruthless!” is an exposition of the tricky corners mothers and daughters must turn in their relationships. “Look at me,” Judy Denmark and her daughter Tina sing emotionally to each other. The imperative is one that all mothers and daughters face when trying to find out what separates them and what connects them. And although you might not want your own family relationship to take the twists that the Denmarks take, you’ll recognize the underside of so many of the questions that get raised between women in family situations.

The community cast is amazingly adept for a show as demanding as this one. Peter Clain, as the cross-dressed Sylvia St. Croix, is a wild narrator who puts Carol Channing to shame when he sings his heart out. And his legs are almost as pretty in a dress as those of his female co-actors.

Diane Coller Wilson, as Judy Denmark, is tirelessly talented with poise and comedic timing. She’s one of those rare actors who is elegant, deep and extremely engaging.

But no one takes the stage like Jaci Sieben, who plays Judy’s mother and art critic Lita Encore. Sieben is brimming with energy and ability. She turns it on big for this show and is a gas to watch. Gemma Laser is similarly unbridled as the snobby, snotty psychotic ingenue, Tina Denmark. It is to her credit that you want to punch her one minute and kill her the next. Margie Rae Nickerson comes undone in her role as a high school drama teacher. Loose lipped and rejected by Broadway, she swiftly and amusingly pinpoints both the passion and frustration of her job.

Musical direction by Ruth Gelsinger, along with her jazzy and considerate five-person band, is smashing. The singing isn’t always perfect, but there’s something totally endearing about the sincerity and honesty of the performances. The pink and green pastels and poofiness of the first act, followed by the starkness of a New York City penthouse in the second act show scenery designers Larason Guthrie and Susan Weinz as talented collaborators in this weird nightmare of a musical.

Bobbie Applegate’s costumes and Gail Savitz’s lighting design bring home the point that “Ruthless!” is a dark comedy filled with camp and schmaltz and just the right touch of reality to scare us all.

The Belfast Maskers will present “Ruthless! The Musical” 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday through March 30 at the Railroad Theater in Belfast. For tickets, call 338-9668.