The strongest part of Music Guild’s production is its vividly colorful costumes and gorgeous set.  Even during moments when I was a bit bored by the script or the performances, I enjoyed taking in the colors and background, so it was never really boring.

As for the performance, Music Guild’s production suffers from some community theaterisms.  Almost all of the songs are sung directly to the audience.  Despite a beautifully staged space, most of the action takes place downstage in the front third portion of the available area.  And, while Music Guild could’ve presented an original take on the material, there’s more than a passing nod to the film version of the show.  Then again, this IS community theater, so expectations should be at the community theater level.

But, there are some standout performances.  Harold Truitt is delightful as The King.  His accent is surprisingly consistent and the joy mixed with superiority on his face is perfect.

Stephanie Moeller actually shocked me as Tuptim.  I’ve enjoyed her acting before, but this is the first time I’ve heard her sing.  And, after hearing the first few notes I’ve ever heard her sing, I immediately wondered why I’ve never heard her sing before.  Her acting is, once again, solid.  But, it’s her voice that fascinated me most.

The King and I runs this Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2:00 at Quad City Music Guild in Prospect Park in Moline.  Tickets are $15 for adults and $9 for children, available by reservation — (309) 762-6610.

It’s fantastic.

As is Riverbend Theatre Collective’s production.  Except for a few minor flaws (in my opinion), Riverbend does an exceptional job bringing this exceptional piece of musical theater to the Quad Cities.

Allison Collins-Elfline offers a subtle, realistic take on Cathy.  Subtle in that I think Sherie Renee Scott offers a much more wildly emotional take in the original cast recording.  From that recording, I always thought Cathy was to blame for the break-up, although she starts off accusing Jamie for it.  With Collins-Elfline’s performance, the fault lies in neither and lies in both.  Thanks to her Cathy, the show comes across as a natural telling of the course of a relationship, rather than a relationship destroyed by one of its occupants.

Dana Joel Nicholson, whom I adored in Riverbend’s Elegies, also brings his vocal strength to The Last 5 Years.  And what I appreciate about Nicholson is that he’s not simply a singer with a good voice.  He, like Collins-Elfline, is a stage singer, able to craft a character through his songs.  While the character makes a few poor decisions, Nicholson’s Jamie is not a jerk doing things to intentionally hurt Cathy.  Instead, as with Collins-Elfline, he adds to the natural course of a relationship take on the material.

Because it struck me so strongly, I have to mention the lighting, which is used quite well to add to the production.  It’s especially well used during the number “Climbing Uphill” to help the audience know when we’re hearing what Cathy is singing at an audition and when we’re hearing what she’s thinking during that audition.

As for the minor flaws I mentioned, they fall in the direction and staging.  For instance, the song “See I’m Smiling” begins with Cathy facing the audience, speaking to Jamie, who has his back to the audience.  I thought that a great choice, as I dislike characters speaking to an imagined person on stage.  But, we need to know that we’re seeing Cathy’s perspective and not Jamie’s, so it was smart to include him on stage, but with his back to the audience.  It’s a staging I think could’ve been used even more than it was during the performance.  But, partway into “See I’m Smiling”, Jamie gets up to take a phone call, which is a switch to his perspective four or so years ago.  Instead of returning to his spot behind Cathy, he exits the stage and Cathy is left to speak to an imagined Jamie.  It’s incongruent.  However, it’s also minor and only mentioned because it actually pulled me out of the moment during the performance.

 The Last 5 Years runs this weekend, June 11, 12 and 13, at 7:30 p.m. at the Village Theatre in the Village of East Davenport.  Tickets are $12, available at the door on a first come first served basis.  You’ll want to arrive early, as this is one you’ll want to be sure not to miss.