My BBTY 1924 HIGHlights

[do_re_milla]

Posted: 2/24/09 at 12:15am

In truth, Scott Siegel assembled a cast that perfectly matched the program & visa versa. From highbrow programming operetta to Bway revues (yes, I'm still hoping for some brave, inventive producer to bring back the "revue"), tonight's performers scored high in what I considered to be a fresh approach to an evening of BBTY.

Sarah Jane McMahon is an acoustical and visual delight. What can't this talented singer do? I couldn't find it. Brava. She paired with Kudish in the "Indian Love Call" and with Ryan Silverman in "Deep in My Heart" to great success. Her partners were no slouches either.

The Howard Fishman Quartet: give me more. I couldn't take my eyes and ears off of them. They are now on my radar.

Marc Kudisch and Cast helped to set the tone of the evening with "The Drinking Song". The performance said "get ready to have fun tonight" and I did. When Marc planted a big wet kiss on 1 of the fellas, I howeled with laughter at their playfullness.

Kerry O'Malley sang "I Don't Know" by Jeans & Braham fr "Charlot's Revue of 1924 with a winning wink in her eye.

James Barbour's "What'll I Do" was full of pathos. and Jeffry Denman's "All Alone" was exquisite.

And what can I say about my adorable Jason Graae except "Get this enormously talented triple threat a show of his own!" "Tulip Time in Sing Sing", "Don't Send Me Back to Petrograd" and "The Mounties" almost made me have an accident! 8:)

Marc Kudisch's voice took on a new color for me tonight. It's as tho his voice has expanded at the top, expecially in "Somebody Loves Me".

I was very happy to hear Melinda Sullivan & Kevin Worley perform "Make Ev'ry Day a Holiday" by Cole Porter. A song I'd heard about, but don't remember hearing.

Kendrick was back singing and dancing in "Fascinating Rhythm" and had me glowing.

I hope I didn't leave anyone out because, as far as I'm concerned, there wasn't a weak link anywhere.

There were songs that had Denman's lighthearted choreography danced beautifully by Jeffry, Erin, Kevin, Melinda and Kendrick.

Ross Patterson and the Little Big Band didn't fail and Scott gave me just enuf info to help put me in the mood. He even got an aud of about 1200 to sing Happy Birthday (I think it's the 85th anniversary of its publication) to 1 of the aud mbrs. The entire evening was a well-paced, skillfully performed, well directed entertaining delight.

Milla