Musical Fare highlights life of Father Baker
THEATRE REVIEW
by PAULINE JANISH Bee Group Newspapers

Louis Colaiacovo is Father Baker in MusicalFare's "Victory: The Father Baker Story."

The recent Buffalo storm didn't discourage the hardy theater patrons from going to see Musical- Fare's world premiere of "Victory: The Father Baker Story."

I was anxious to see the production as my husband and I have read books, attended presentations and toured the Basilica. We marveled at all Father Nelson Baker did and how he did it.

"Victory," with book and lyrics by Heather Violanti and music, lyrics and direction by Randall Kramer, presents some of the highlights of his life to us by using a simple but effective stage setting and four talented actors.

Louis Colaiacovo as Father Baker portrays him as a gentle, but determined man who does everything "for the orphans." Ellen Horst is the Sister who prays for the Father's sainthood and enlightens the priest and scientist sent to collect data for the sainthood committee. Marc Sacco portrays the skeptic priest who turns believer. Norman Sham plays the Bishop who financially supports Father Baker in his endeavors and also the Scientist.

The play is a brief history lesson of Father Baker's life. With pictures of the Basilica shown on a video screen, we learn about Father Baker as a small boy to a businessman to a seminarian.

The scenes jumped from present to past during the production, leaving us to wonder what's next. Knowing something about Father Baker before we saw the show helped us understand the story line. The casting was perfect. My favorite was Sham as the unbelieving scientist. His presence on the stage is a tribute to his acting awards.

Kramer's music is not essential to the show, but adds a little icing on the cake. Unfortunately, we did not leave humming any haunting melodies.

The play is not for everyone and I'm not really sure why it was made into a musical. What it does is bring the story of Father Baker to another medium. It has been written in books and pamphlets. It has been on television. You can take a guided tour of the Basilica and see when it all started. Hopefully, the stage production will enlighten its patrons and encourage us to seek the truth and believe in mirac les.

"Victory: The Father Baker Story" continues at MusicalFare Theatre through April 6. For performance times, see Theater listing.