Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, July 30, 1990 TAG: 9007300006
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 8 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: SETH WILLIAMSON
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Children's TV star McGrath was the featured guest of the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra Saturday evening in this summer's second "Picnic with the Pops" concert at the Salem Civic Center. Audience participation is McGrath's bag, and he immediately began firing orders and questions at his listeners: Is everyone having a good time? Are You happy? Turn around and introduce yourself to your neighbor, sit up straight, take a deep breath, raise your right hand, raise your left hand, touch your nose, etc.
Most of the audience took part in the fun - especially the kids - but a few of us stuffy grumps were pretty sheepish about the whole thing. After five minutes of this, your reviewer had fantasies of shouting back: "Stick your right foot in your left ear, Bob! OK, now fall off the stage!"
To be fair, though, this one was advertised for the kids, and the many little ones in Saturday's crowd seemed to love it. Even some of us grouches who resent being forced to be friendly to our neighbors began to thaw a little when McGrath was joined on stage by students from the Floyd Ward School of Dance dressed as little bakers and doctors.
McGrath began with his signature Sesame Street song, "It's a Good, Good Morning," then continued with several other tunes that were immediately recognizable to the youngsters in the audience. These included "If You're Happy and You Know It, Clap Your Hands," "People in Your Neighborhood," and a "Silly Time Sing-Along with Bob." This last included the "Echo Song," which again featured many complicated directions to the audience.
Possibly the most entertaining segment of this concert was the medley of tunes from "42nd Street," which featured dozens of Floyd Ward students dressed in eye-catching costumes. Whoever was responsible for the costumes deserves special credit, because they were brilliant, convincing and utterly professional. The young dancers turned in a pretty good performance, too, especially the two pairs of high-class boulevardiers-one couple in their early teens, the other kindergarten age, both dressed to the nines in tuxes and gowns.
McGrath's Sesame Street friends were unable to make this concert date, but he took on-stage phone calls during the show from both Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch (who encouraged the Roanoke Symphony to "play as bad as they usually do"). During the song "Rainbow Connection," the audience saw a slide show featuring various Sesame Street characters, and McGrath dedicated one song to the late Jim Henson.
McGrath, a long-time friend of RSO music director Victoria Bond, several times called for applause both for Bond ("our five-foot dynamo") and the symphony. After the show McGrath greeted the children, posed for photos and autographed copies of his many children's books.
The season's last pops concert Aug. 25 will feature big band music.
by CNB