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The Courier-Times Irving
Berlin Star of “On With the Show.” By Cathy Craig
The 11-member cast of Summer Theater in the Park’s “On With the
Show” presented a rousing tribute to Irving Berlin Tuesday night as the third
of five productions joined the company’s alternating repertory.
With musical director Della Mae Tronchuk at
the piano in center stage, surrounded by a set of white, black and silver, the
five couples of the show emerged from each approach to the three-quarter stage
singing “There’s No Business Like Show Business.”
Narrator-performer Dick Willis introduced
the man of their salute, Irving Berlin and the cast was on with a show that
incorporated well over 50 of
To maintain its rapid pace, the production demanded perfect timing by the
cast. In addition, extensive memory
work was required with 18 numbers being performed by the entire company.
Dancing and vocal ability were crucial with individual cast members
featured as soloists and in small ensembles of duets, trios and quartets.
Willis’ narrative, which is concentrated
in the first half of the revue, fascinates as it depicts the story of a man, his
brilliance and the eras he captured in song.
It leaves listeners wishing for more in Parts III and IV.
Tronchuk is a sensitive accompanies
throughout, with arrangements and dynamic levels that enhance vocal lines, never
competing for attention.
Women’s voices are outstanding.
Darlene Druley’s voice is exceptional.
Expressive in her phrasing and delivery, Druley sings easily across her
entire range without making listeners aware of her great control.
She moves well on stage though at times falling victim to the idea that
there must be gestures accompanying all songs.
Her voice and presence, as in “Always,” are captivating enough.
Patricia Allen is at her best singing.
She is gracious and her voice reveals substantial training as in her
beautiful rendition of “All Alone.” Her
movement on stage betrayed some insecurity, however.
Janis Morton is a relaxing and consistently
fine performer. With a smile-lighted
face, she exudes a graceful and sensitive enthusiasm and sings with a
well-trained voice. Especially
enjoyable was her “What’ll I Do.”
Rebecca Imel is bright and spunky and has a
good voice. Bedecked in clodhoppers
and flannel shirt, she gun-totes her way on stage in Part III to delight the
audience with “You Can’t Get a Man With a Gun.”
Radiating a sense of ease and enjoyment,
Julie LeHunt moves well in ensemble. Her
body conveys the rhythm of songs without exaggeration.
Her voice was more than adequate and she delivers her solo “Say it
Isn’t So” well.
Though voices of the men in the cast are not
as highly trained as those of the women, the men more than hold up their end of
the revue.
Michael Fleming shows that he is a veteran
performer with all the energy and finesse of a showman.
Best in ensemble work, Fleming is a fine dancer and good singer.
Andrew Brewer and Timothy Webb are the young
members of the cast. Both have
pleasant voices and though they lack some of the precision and confidence of
experience, they both exhibit poise and competency in solo, ensemble and company
work.
Alan Denney manifests a very enjoyable
ability of singing a song straight. Without
excess movement, Denney sings to his audience with a nice tenor voice.
Dick Willis the performer is fine.
Moving facilely from roles of narrator to singer and dancer on stage,
Willis’ talent is apparent in choreography and direction.
Men’s numbers to be singled out are
Fleming, Willis and Brewer’s “We Saw the Sea,” Fleming, Webb and Willis’
“Mandy,” and Denney’s “Along Came Ruth.”
Songs “The Ocarina,” “Policeman’s
Ball,” “Good Times With
The overall production suffers from lack of
low voices in the cast. None of the
men is a bass and LeHunt and Imel of the women are altos but do not have
noticeably low registers. Because of
the vocal distribution, many of the songs are sung in unison.
But it is totally refreshing to hear
beautiful old songs sung well and without the affectation of scooping and
diphthong.
Signs of amateurishness did not exist.
All of the energy and talent of a dedicated cast working together made
“On With the Show” a professional tribute.
Irving Berlin was its star. |