SITE GUIDE
SEARCH
REVIEWS
FEATURES
NEWS
Etcetera and
Short Term Listings
LISTINGS
Broadway
Off-Broadway
NYC Restaurants
BOOKS and CDs
OTHER PLACES
Berkshires
London
California
DC
Philadelphia
Elsewhere
QUOTES
On TKTS
PLAYWRIGHTS' ALBUMS
LETTERS TO EDITOR
FILM
LINKS
MISCELLANEOUS
Free Updates
Masthead
Writing for Us
A CurtainUp Review
The Second Annual Broadway Cabaret Festival Gets Off To a Grand Start with Music in the Air: A Tribute to Jerome Kern
Music in the Air: A Tribute to Jerome Kern which was presented on October 20th, Jerome Kern, arguably the greatest melodist in all American musical theater, probably wrote about 700 songs over 4 decades. So 20 songs are a mere smattering of what one might have wished to hear in the otherwise mostly rapturous evening of song, a little dance, and a little patter as offered by Scott Siegel, the creator/writer/host of this the first evening (of three) of The Second Annual Broadway Cabaret Festival.
15 of the crème de la crème (with apologies to Miss Jean Brodie) of Broadway and cabaret performers paid tribute to the man who wrote the music to such Broadway shows as Show Boat, Sweet Adeline, Roberta, Music in the Air, Leave It to Jane and to films that included Cover Girl, Centennial Summer, You Were Never Lovelier, Swing Time, High Wide and Handsome.
If the evening started regrettably with no medley overture by the 5-member on-stage band, the musicians proved to be prime components in a concert designed to remind us of those most glorious melody filled days of yore. To a large extent, Kern's music inspired respectfully low-key interpretations, a blessing that kept that villainous hand mike from sabotaging many a fine voice.
Michael Winther's mellow "Yesterdays" and "The Way You Look Tonight" were consoling examples of artistic restraint. Nancy Anderson's glittering soprano is perfect for the Kern canon and proved it with "They Didn't Believe Me." She also joyously joined the ingratiating dancer/singer Noah Racey for a comically choreographed "A Fine Romance." Racey, a favorite with the Town Hall crowd, dazzled with his spirited "I Won't Dance," for which he came on stage sans shoes. Host Siegel got a laugh when he left the podium, took the shoes off his own feet and presented them sheepishly to Racey, who found them a perfect fit.
Ron Bohmer had the audience in thrall with a vibrant "Till the Clouds Roll By" and "Why Was I Born", as did Stephen Bogardus with his full throttle renditions of "Long Ago "(And Far Away) and "All The Things You Are." Other highlights included "I'll Be Hard to Handle", as delivered with brass and sass by Leslie Kritzer; "When We Get Our Divorce", a rarity humorous performed by Joyce Chittick and Sean Martin Hingston; and "Smoke Get in Your Eyes", the immortal standard beautifully sung by Lari White. Carolyn Montgomery and Julie Reyburn harmonized nicely for a sweet" I'm Old Fashioned."
Not every singer, however, was able to create a convincing emotional context for their song. The otherwise exceptionally talented Deven May was ill-suited to "Make Believe" (traditionally a duet) as well as to the coyly insinuating "I Didn't Say Yes".(more often than not She). The torchy" Bill" can always be counted on to stop the show, but not this time as it was too casually spun out by the nevertheless gorgeous to gaze upon Cady Huffman. Julia Murney's exhilarating "The Last Time I Saw Paris", was a genuine show-stopper. Finally the inevitable last-minute substitutions at a show like this turned into a triumph with a stirring and rafter-shaking "Ol Man River" by Roosevelt Andre Credit lifting the audience spontaneously to its feet — a wonderful climax for a fine homage to the great Kern.
Editor's Note: Be sure to check out our work in progress page on Scott Siegel's popular Broadway by the Year series.
|
Music in the Air: A Tribute to Jerome Kern The Second Annual Broadway Cabaret Festival written and hosted by Scott Siegel Directed by Mindy Cooper Cast: Nancy Anderson, Ron Bohmer,Stephen Bogardus, Joyce Chittick Sean Martin Hingston,Cady Huffman, Leslie Kritzer, Carolyn Montgomery, Julia Murney, Deven May, Noah Racey, Julie Reyburn, Lari White, Michael Winther Band: Scott Cady, musical director; Ray Kilday, Bass; Jay Berliner, guitars/mandolin; Jack Stuckey, clarinet, flute, tenor saxophone, and Matthew Lehmann, violin The Town Hall, 123 West 43rd Street October 20, 2006 Ticket prices: $50 & $45 Running Time: 2 hours 15 minutes including intermission The 2nd and 3rd installments of the Cabaret events: Emily Skinner & Alice Ripley Sing Broadway, Oct 21 at 8 pm S Broadway Originals, October 22 at 3pm to feature an array of talent recreating songs they performed in orignal Broadway productions. Performers to include Helen Gallager, Joanna Gleason , Debbie Gravitte, Liz Callaway, Kevin Chamberlin, Nancy Dussault, Mary Testa, Cheyenne Jackson, Christiane Noll, Noah Racey & Nancy Lemenage and Chip Zien |
Easy-on-the budget super gift for yourself and your musical loving friends. Tons of gorgeous pictures.
Leonard Maltin's 2007 Movie Guide
At This Theater
Leonard Maltin's 2005 Movie Guide
>
