| Lancette Arts Journal Founded in 2000 |
Theater Reviews |
March 2004 |
By Alidė Kohlhaas
Theatre Aquarius opted in March to stage a musical production rather than a play. It was an unashamed salute to Broadway that featured one of this country's better known musical talents, David Rogers, and musicians from the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra and their conductor, Michael Reason. It also featured, in two short interludes, singer/performer June Crowley in what was otherwise a celebration of the most famous of the songs of the leading male characters in musical theatre.
Rogers, whose vocal range is quite extensive, made it seem easy to be singing almost continuously as one piece of music ran into another in an almost seamless arrangement by Mark Camilleri. He is the music director of Give My Regards to Broadway, while at the same time also performing the role of assistant music director of Mamma Mia!, which has returned to Toronto after its SARS outbreak hiatus in Vancouver. His arrangements were well executed and added much to the evening's enjoyment.
Who wouldn't like to hear the great hits from the distant and near past sung and performed so charmingly as Rogers does? He was aided by some very delightful props, and a few unsuspecting ladies from the audience. This made for good humor, and showed that Rogers can not just sing, but also act in an entertaining fashion.
The list of songs is far too long to mention all, but they included - in no particular order - I'm Getting Married in the Morning, If Ever I Would Leave You, Luck Be My Lady Tonight, Mammy, My Boy Bill, Once in Love with Amy, Rose-Marie, Toot-Toot Tootsie Goodbye, Whatever Lola Wants, Anything You Can Do, Lullaby of Broadway, and of course, Give My Regards to Broadway.
Ms Crowley performed only briefly in the first part of the show, and then joined Rogers for a more extensive medley from Phantom of the Opera, the Lloyd Webber musical that gave both performers the kick-start into musical theatre prominence. Crowley, too, has quite the musical pipes, but in this production her presence, not her voice, seemed off-key. She added nothing to what was already a highly entertaining evening. It would have been a much better, more coherent production had Rogers remained on his own. Of course, it is asking a lot to carry a show alone, but there might have been a better way to give his voice a rest. Still, the audience seemed to like the Phantom medley, judging by the applause. Regardless of this minor complaint, the show certainly makes for a very entertaining evening out if you enjoy the music that made Broadway famous.
[Give My Regards to Broadway runs to March 28 at the Dofasco Centre for the Arts. Theatre Aquarius will also present a special presentation of The Laramie Project, which opened in New York to rave reviews in 2000. It will be a one-time only benefit event on April 3, 2004 at 8:00 p.m. to contribute to the regional dialogue on the issue of hate crimes.]
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