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A CurtainUp Connecticut Review
Song and Dance Man


  
I want to leave my footsteps on the sands of time. — Jon Peterson
Song and Dance Man
Jon Peterson
Multi-talented Jon Peterson returns to Seven Angels in Waterbury with a foot-tapping (quite literally), good old-fashioned, entertaining night at the theater with his tribute to some of his favorite Hollywood legends. Peterson, who starred in the Seven Angels' acclaimed 2007 production of George M. Cohan, conceived, wrote and choreographed Song and Dance Man. It is co-directed by the theater's artistic director Semina De Laurents.

Peterson wows with his tapping ability while singing all or part of more than 25 songs made famous by legends George M. Chan, Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly, Donald O'Connor, Sammy Davis, Jr., Bobby Darrin and Anthony Newley. What makes the show really stand out, however, is the terrific writing, which combines the song and dance with tidbits about the careers of the Hollywood stars as well as how they relate to parts of Peterson's life. Each of these tidbits segues naturally into the next song. It's just the right blend to keep the evening on target without becoming a boring documentary and the two hours slip by. If there are any weak spots, they pertain to some vaudeville-style jokes that, budda bum, bum, fall flat.

The sound by Isaac Mandel is particularly good and we can hear every tap as well as the music played by the fine three-piece band directed by Richard DeRosa. The Gene Kelly classic "Singin' in the Rain," is nicely recreated (sans the rain) and Peterson's passion translates "What Kind of Fool am I?"”into one of the best renditions I've heard since Newley.

Song and Dance Man is one of the don't-miss shows of the season.

                                      
Song and Dance Man
Conceived and Written by Jon Peterson
Directed by Semina DeLaurentis and Jon Peterson
Choreographed by Jon Peterson
Musical Director: Richard DeRosa
Scenic Design: Erik Diaz
Additional Costume Design: Dean Amato
Lighting Design: Richard Latta
Sound Design: Isaac Mandel
Cast: Jon Peterson


Running time: 2 hours with a 15-minute intermission
Seven Angels Theatre, 1 Plank Road, Waterbury, CT
Performances: Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8 pm, Thursday, Saturay and Sunday at 2 pm.
Tickets $32 Call 203-757-4676 or on-line at sevenangelstheatre.org
Nov. 5-29, 2009
Review by Lauren Yarger based on performance of Nov. 12, 2009
 
 
Musical Numbers
Act One
  • Song Man Dance Man
  • Always Leave 'Em Laughing/I Guess I'll Have to Telegraph My Baby
  • Give My Regards to Broadway
  • It Only Happens When I Dance With You
  • They All Laughed
  • For Me and My Gal/I Got Rhythm
  • Too Close for Comfort
  • It's A Lovely Day Today
  • Singin' in the Rain
  • Splish Splash
  • As Long as I'm Singin'
  • Candy Man
  • Just Once in a Lifetime
  • On a Wonderful Day/Nothing Can Stop Me Now
Act Two
  • Make 'em Laugh
  • I Wann Wander
  • I've Got to Be Me
  • Mack the Knife
  • If I Ruled the World
  • Something's Gotta Give
  • Lazy River
  • Dancin' Man
  • Be a Clown/ Make 'em Laugh
  • What Kind of Fool Am I?
  • The Curtain Falls
  • Broadway Rhythm
  • Song Man Dance Man (reprise)
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