Reviews by Brandon Judell
The Broadway Musicals of 1943
Created, Written and hosted by Scott Siegel
Directed by Eric Michael Gillett
Produced by The Town Hall Not Just Jazz Series
123 West 43rd Street
212-382-1875
One night only: March 19, 2001
Reviewed by Brandon Judell
A new tradition might just have commenced in the Big Apple the other night.
Scott Siegel, a well-known cabaret, film and theater critic, plus co-author
of over 40 books with his wife Barbara such as American Film Comedy, has
initiated a series of evening events, each spotlighting a specific year on
Broadway. Each gala, to be held at Town Hall, will boast three top-notch
performers with theater and cabaret backgrounds. As for the slate of show
tunes, expect the familiar, the whimsical, the esoteric, and the little known.
The first of these nights attracted over 1000 Broadway-philes. The performers included Jason Graae who's appeared in Los Angeles in "Forbidden Broadway Y2K LA!," plus on Showtime's "Rude Awakening," a couple of TV pilots, and guest starring roles on "Friends," "Frasier" and "Providence." Heather MacRae starred with her theatrical family in the Starlight Theatre's production of "Annie Get Your Gun" in Kansas City, and on Broadway in "Here's Where I Belong," "Hair," and "Falsettos." As for Ms. Sally Mayes, you may recall her from TV ("City Hall," "Bye Bye Birdie"), several cast recordings ("Closer than Ever," "She Loves Me") or from her solo CDs ("The Dorothy Fields Songbook," "Our Private World: The Comden & Greene Songbook").
The initial outing's year was 1943. This meant the shows that could be highlighted included Rodgers & Hart's "A Connecticut Yankee," Weill & Nash's "One Touch of Venus," Cole Porter's "Something or the Boys," Lerner & Loewe's "What's Up," Ray Henderson's "Ziegfeld Follies of 1943," Bizet & Hammerstein's "Carmen Jones," plus the groundbreaking "Oklahoma" from Rodgers & Hammerstein. A more sating selection could hardly be imagined.
On the stage was a piano played by Ross Patterson, bass bowed by John Loe hrke, a podium that held Mr. Siegel's tuxedo-ed elbows in place, and a bare stage. But with the three troopers belting the night away, the stage seemed very full indeed.
Highlights included the hilarious Mr. Graae camping up "Stan' Up an' Fight" from Carmen Jones. He kept switching from stalwart soldier to a very feminine Carmen who couldn't keep her hands off Mr. Siegel. The audience roared its approval.
Ms. Mayes seduced the audience with the seldom heard romantic ditty "My Last Love" (Lerner & Loewe) and broke them up with the cynically comic "To Keep My Love Alive." Here an oft-wed damsel tells with pluck how she dispatched one husband after another, and there were dozens. The verbal machinations displayed Lorenz Hart at his best.
But the one moment that no one attending will ever forget was Ms. MacRae's rendition of "The Surrey with the Fringe on Top" from Oklahoma. She simply transformed the too-familiar snappy tune into a transcendental meditation on life and love. It was an unrivaled performance that sent glorious shivers down spines.
Kudos of course must go to director Eric Michael Gillett for keeping the show moving forth swiftly and gracefully and musical director Ross Patterson for his tunesmanship.
The next evening is on April 16 at 8pm and it will highlight 1957. If that doesn't ring any bells, I'm sure "West Side Story," "The Music Man" and "New Girl in Town" will. Don't miss it if you love being hit over the head with talent and song. And who doesn't? [Judell]
Copyright © Brandon Judell 2001
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