"Don't Touch That Dial," show #946

Nostalgia meeting talent is a recipe for an enjoyable experience at the theater. Such is the case for Roger Bean’s Don’t Touch That Dial, having its West Coast premiere at Sierra Repertory Theatre. The cast of five deliver an energetically earnest performance of the game show-musical where tunes of yesteryear bring audiences back to their living room by enjoying the original screen time-medium: Television.

(Bets Malone and David Engel; Photo credit: Bill Herbert)

The two-act revue-type musical begins with David being brought into a game show, and to win he must know the lyrics and references to a slew of television theme songs, including those from sitcoms and cartoons. Supported by Betsy, Camryn, and Michael, the competitiveness and comedic camaraderie make for a raucously fun first act. Act Two brings the audience into the mix as David now hosts his own game show. The audience aspect is a joyous experience of trivia and showing off just how deep your television knowledge goes. It’s well structured, balanced, and a completely fun ride!

(David Engel; Photo credit: Bill Herbert)

David Engel leads the company as David, and does so with the charisma and comedic timing of the veteran stage actor he is. His chemistry with cast and crowd are palpable and befitting of a stalwart host. Camryn Elias and Bets Malone give the female side of support with heavenly harmonies and tracks of bit-role impressions from television’s most iconic characters including those from All in the Family, Love Boat, and Charlie’s Angels, among many others. Michael J. Willett provides his terrific tenor to the mix, and gives superb humorous turns as characters we know and love from Golden Girls, The Addams Family, Green Acres and, of course, many, many more. Rounding out the cast is TV Announcer and the second act Sidekick to David, Kristofer Holz, whose timbre and tone honor the many voices we’ve heard from decades of beloved game shows. His physical comedy is showcased well in support of Bean’s overall direction and superb period-appropriate choreography throughout the show.

(Kristofer Holz; Photo credit: Bill Herbert)

Matthew Herman sets the stage with a captivating scenic and media design perfectly suited for a game show studio, illuminated by Justin Kelley-Cahill’s vibrant lighting design. Jeanne Reith’s costumes and Brenda O’Brien’s hair and makeup design are in impeccable form with highlighting personality and the pizzazz each actor give their role. 

(Clockwise from Top Left: Camryn Elias, Michael J. Willett, David Engel, Bets Malone; Photo credit: BIll Herbert)

Shows like this are successful for many reasons, but none more than enjoying the marathon-like sprint of the cast with the many characters and tunes they perform with costume pieces and changes galore! So, if you’re near the Columbia-Sonora area, I implore you to get your nostalgic bone in check and venture to the Historic Fallon House Theatre by July 19th and see just how good your TV theme song knowledge is; along the way, you’ll have an absolutely swell time bopping to the music and manic this show offers.