By Reena Dutt
Arizona Daily Wildcat
December 9, 1997

'Five Guys' rule the show

Photo by Tim Fuller. Arizona Daily Wildcat (Left to right) Steven X. Ward, Robert F. Chew, Teren Carter, Darren Lee Frazier and David White in Arizona Theatre Company's production of "Five Guys Named Moe."

The Arizona Theatre Company is performing a great musical called "Five Guys Named Moe." The all-male cast is one entertaining group. Not only does the show come up with an innovative way to fix a broken heart, it also teaches a lesson about love.

The plot involves a boy, Nomax (played by Teren Carter), who has recently been dumped by his girlfriend. Nomax is a normal teen-ager who does not understand what love means, let alone how to treat other people that he cares about. As one of ATC's box-office workers says, "Something we all know about." One day, Nomax is listening to his radio when it surprisingly comes alive and five guys, all named Moe, jump out to entertain and teach Nomax the lessons of love, with the help of the music of Louis Jordan.

Each of the Moe characters has a personality of his own. Big Moe, played by Robert Chew, is larger around the waist than the average person, while Eat Moe, played by David White, has a curious affinity for food. The other three Moes also have self-explanatory names - No Moe (James Doberman), Four Eyed Moe (Darren Lee Frasier), and Little Moe (Steve Ward).The combination of all the Moes provides an entertaining vehicle for the story's evolution.

Not only are the actors' résumés well-padded, their performances are, as well. The choreography for the dance scenes is great. One of the scenes even has a full tap sequence, while others make you wonder whether the actors specialize in dance or theater. As far as the singing goes, there is nothing more beautiful than a song where no one is off-key and all the voices blend together as though it was fate for them to all sing on stage at the same time.

A scene in which Big Moe is telling Nomax, a future alcoholic, not to sober up if he is only going to get drunk again, through song, is a highlight of the show. Although there is only one line through the entire song, it is done beautifully. The stage lights dim down, and the only characters remaining on stage are Big Moe and Nomax (the others having left because of Nomax's drinking problem). The stage is transformed into a street and Nomax is about to pass out on the ground in his drunkenness. Big Moe sings this song with a voice that could make a person cry or laugh at any given time.

Aside from being emotionally effective, the show is also extremely interactive. Not only is a conga line formed by the audience and incorporated into the show, but one of the songs invites three women from the audience on stage to serve as a teaching tool for Nomax. The actors spend a good portion of the show as part of the audience and the same goes for the audience as part of the performance.

As far as the performances for this semester are concerned, "Five Guys Named Moe" is by far the best show yet. The actors do an outstanding job in developing this musical comedy; the next show will have a lot to live up to.

The Arizona Theatre Company's production of "Five Guys Named Moe" runs through Dec. 21 at the Temple of Music and Art, 330 S. Scott Ave. For ticket and show information call the Arizona Theatre Company Box Office at 622-2823.