Flying Into the Darkness: 'Ace'

IT'S A DRAMATIC STAPLE: Introduce a bratty kid in the opening moments of a story, and by the end, he's a peach.

It's no different in Signature Theatre's latest musical, "Ace," the story of surly 11-year-old Danny (Dalton Harrod), whose defenses crumble in the face of caring foster folks, a perky schoolmate and, most crucial, a story that unlocks family mysteries. "Ace," with music by Richard Oberacker and lyrics by Oberacker and Robert Taylor, makes its East Coast premiere at the Max theater this month.

When Danny's mother, Elizabeth (Jill Paice), is hospitalized after a suicide attempt, Danny is sent to live with rare benevolent foster parents Louise and Edward (Emily Skinner and Duke Lafoon). Scowling and uncommunicative at first, Danny begins to drop the attitude once Elizabeth — communicating through a social worker (Florence Lacey) — begins sending him clues to a mystery that began in World War I.

The mystery involves Danny's lineage, including the father Elizabeth said abandoned him before birth. It's a legacy involving fighter pilots, romance and loss, and Danny begins to understand his mother's troubled behavior.

The cast handles the simplistic material well, but the songs are less memorable than the staging, which features large metal towers that function well during the flying sequences. Lighting and projection effects add oomph to these scenes.

Although the cast is stuffed with Broadway vets, it's Angelina Kelly as Danny's spunky (and only) friend, Emily, who stands out. "Now I'm on Your Case," in which she decides to inflict her detective skills on Danny's mystery, is the musical's best moment.

» Signature Theatre, 4200 Campbell Ave.; Arlington; through Sept. 28; $61-$86; 703-820-9771.

Written by Express contributor Erin Trompeter
Photo by Stan Barouh