This just in! Camilla Sanfrancisco is hot on the trail of success.
Where in the world? The Untold Story of Camilla Sanfrancisco opens with song. The ACME Detective Agency’s star sleuth is MIA. The office is in a tizzy. “Trackers” whiz around in office chairs trying pinpoint her location. The tracking tool of choice? An IPad, of course—and thus commences the first nod to the original lady-in-red, “Carmen Sandiego.”
If, like me, you grew up playing the game upon which this musical is based, you instantly chuckle to yourself as you remember the Commodore 64 (or insert whatever desktop model you had) that introduced you to both Carmen and computer technology.
And that’s where this musical hits the right notes, and stays in tune. It deftly weaves in aspects of the inaugural computer game without being cloying, and it’s almost as educational, without being belittling, as the initial PBS game show that taught kids Chad was more than just a boy’s name.
Camilla Sanfrancisco (played nicely by Vanessa Kinzey), a teenage, orphan prodigy, falls under the avuncular tutelage of “The Chief” after her parents die in a plane crash and eventually becomes ACME’s top agent. Years later, she’s accused of hobnobbing with the enemy, V.I.L.E, and goes rogue to prove her innocence. As she hunts for clues to her potential adversary’s identity, Camilla discloses details of her past while you get to visit London, India, and Argentina. The musical numbers at each location acknowledge the culture in which they are set–Tango, Bollywood, Punk rock.
Trailing her is Suhara (played by Autumn Seavey), another ACME agent, and the “trainee,” young Mikey the Gumshoe (played so well by Joseph Leskody that if I met Joe on the street and found him adept at life, I’d be shocked). Mikey’s wide-eyed innocence is reminiscent of the kids we all were when we filled the role of “gumshoe.”
Though the plot’s not too thick, it is witty, fun and interesting. It doesn’t pretend to be anything it is not (an ode to a kid’s game), but it also doesn’t downplay its intent (to show us the life-path that led Camilla into a life of crime). Each villain/V.I.L.E henchman steps into the spotlight, but doesn’t steal it. The plot is balanced, not patronizing, and the sly tributes—to Carmen, cultural music, children of yore, map-loving nerds of the world—dance pacing-ly along and cap with a Geography-off between Camilla and Suhara. Complete with familiar beeps and buzzers.
Excellent. Bring it on, Rockapella.
Where in the world? The Untold Story of Camilla Sanfrancisco has 5 performances, ending July 29, 2012 at Studio Theatre’ Milton Theatre, 1501 14th St NW, Washington, DC.
Details and tickets
Details and tickets
Kelly rates this 5 out of a possible 5, making it a Pick of the Fringe!
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