Just
mention the name "Irving Berlin" and everyone immediately
thinks of "God Bless America," "White Christmas" or "There's
No Business Like Show Business." But that's only a drop
in the bucket of what this musical genius achieved during his
long, prolific lifetime.
Berlin was a Russian immigrant
who wrote the lyrics and music for more than 3,000 songs, 17
film scores and 21 Broadway musicals. Even more surprising
for someone with so much innate talent is the fact that he
never learned to play the piano.
SHOW
REVIEW
‘‘ I LOVE A PIANO''
Where: Carpenter Performing Arts Center, 6200 Atherton St., Long Beach
When: 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday (plus
7 p.m. April 30); through May 7
Tickets: $42-$50 adults; $25 children under 12
Information: (562) 856-1999, Ext. 4
Several years ago, Ray Roderick
(another musical wunderkind) decided it was past time for a
musical revue that spotlighted Berlin's staggering accomplishments.
With co-author Michael Berkeley, he wrote "I Love a Piano," which
he also directed and choreographed.
Last weekend, Musical Theatre
West opened a rousing, toe-tapping production of Roderick's
tribute to Irving Berlin at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center.
"
I Love a Piano" is a nostalgic musical journey through
seven decades of American history as seen through the eyes
and felt by the heart and soul of Berlin. With a fabulous seven-piece
band on stage directed by John Glaudini, it follows the adventures
of an old, upright piano as it travels through the lives of
different people at various periods of time from the early
1920s through the late 1950s.
During the course of two hours,
six highly trained actors present 64 of Berlin's delightful
songs, augmented by Roderick's charming but demanding dance
routines, which wowed everyone in the audience. The three guys
(Stephen Breithaupt, Kevin Earley and Dan Pacheco) and three
gals (Julie Dixon Jackson, Kathi Gillmore and Jill Townsend)
demonstrate astonishing performance skills, both physically
and vocally.
Not only do each of them sing
up a storm and dance with ease in solo numbers, their combined
ensemble routines are seamless, natural and timed to perfection,
all the while in perfect step with the beat of Glaudini's baton,
regardless of change in tempo. With distinct personalities
and voices that complement each other, the six-member cast
becomes more than the sum of its parts.
Beginning with the "I
Love a Piano" overture, you are next treated to "A
Pretty Girl Is Like a Melody." In fact, you'll hear so
many familiar melodies during the show, you'll be instantly
transported back to wherever you were the last time you heard
them.
Songs you didn't even know
you remembered are burnished in your brain. Even if you weren't
born yet, lyrics from "Alexander's Ragtime Band," "Everybody's
Doin' It," "Blue Skies Smilin' at Me" and "I've
Got My Love to Keep Me Warm" are part of our country's
collective memory of the 1920s — with allusions to the
Depression and Prohibition.
Then come songs made famous
in the movies by Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers: "Steppin'
Out With My Baby," "Top Hat," "White Tie
and Tails," "Puttin' on the Ritz" and "Let's
Face the Music and Dance" — all presented in a glamourous
style with high energy by all sixperformers. These are followed
by "Let Yourself Go," "Say It Isn't So" and "Change
Partners."
During World War II, Berlin
composed upbeat songs to combat the fear and loneliness of
Americans both on the home front and in battle — comical
ditties such as "Oh, How I Hate to Get Up in the Morning" and
nostalgic tunes such as "Count Your Blessings Instead
of Sheep," "I'll Be Loving You, Always" and "What'll
I Do?"
Anyone remember the Andrew
Sisters? ("I Left My Heart at the Stage Door Canteen," "Any
Bonds Today," "How Deep Is the Ocean") or Kate
Smith singing "God Bless America"? Musical Theatre
West's superb ensemble sings them all with panache, style and
verve.
Of course there has to be a
sampling of Berlin's world famous show tunes such as "Easter
Parade" (a real crowd-pleaser), plus songs from "Annie
Get Your Gun" ("Anything You Can Do, I Can Do Better" and "Old
Fashioned Wedding"). For the grand finale, the cast delivers
a show-stopping treatment of "There's No Business Like
Show Business" dressed in black formal attire.
Enhancing the excitement of
this Musical Theatre West production are Todd K. Proto's period
costumes, Debra Garcia Lockwood's show biz light design, Julie
Ferrin's crisp sound and Kevin Clowes' skill at coordinating
the fast-moving scenic elements.
Shirle Gottlieb is a
Long Beach freelance writer |
