THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, May 4, 1995 TAG: 9505020105
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 18 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Theater Review
SOURCE: Montague Gammon III
LENGTH: Medium: 74 lines
The proverbial trip down memory lane awaits audiences who go to the Little Theatre of Norfolk for ``Songbook of Swing II.''
The musical revue that takes them on this sentimental and nostalgic journey might be compared to a plain but softly padded coach that is warm and comfortable, even when it hits the occasional pothole.
The production is subtitled ``Music of the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s.'' It presents, in the most straightforward manner, a selection of American popular songs linked by a narration that quickly places them in their historical and social context.
Lynn Cameron and Elizabeth Orly are the most visible vocalists, forming the core of a three- to five-member female group that includes, in various combinations, Brenda Fuller, Amy Morgan and Leslie Jensen.
Cameron and Orly also get most of the women's solos. Cameron shows her range and expressiveness in ``Somewhere Over the Rainbow,'' ``Sentimental Journey,'' ``Que Sera Sera'' and that coy compendium of double meanings ``Come-on-a My House.'' Orly has a more penetrating sound and is most memorable in ``It's Been a Long, Long Time'' and ``Secret Love.''
Morgan solos twice, rendering a pert ``Fine and Dandy'' early in the first act and returning with a soothing, lilting ``Wayward Wind'' late in Act II. Fuller's lovely voice was sadly outgunned on opening night by an overly amplified orchestra in ``All of Me,'' but her ``Do Nothing Till You Hear from Me'' is especially poignant and ``Fever'' appropriately sultry.
Group numbers ranged from ``Memories of You'' through ``Ten Cents a Dance'' to ``Don't Sit Under the Apple Tree'' and ``Old Cape Cod.''
Leslie Draper has been a fixture at the Little Theatre's musical revues for several years, but he has never been in stronger voice than he is here. After opening the show with a singularly effective rendition of the Great Depression lament ``Brother Can You Spare a Dime?'' he performs romantic numbers, country western and broad comedy with facility.
Director David Burton solos quite nicely, but obvious problems with the sound system got in his way more than once. He was able to display his acting and his singing to best advantage in the cooly ironic Sinatra standby ``The Lady is a Tramp.''
Burton also teams with Draper for a couple of lively song and dance duets. ``I Love a Piano'' and ``Together, Wherever We Go'' are cheerful, upbeat crowd pleasers. Raynor Craft solos in ``Bidin' My Time'' and ``I Love Lucy.''
The real crowd pleasers are the tap-dance numbers featuring the energetic Co Harrison. Like Draper, she is a stalwart of LTN musicals, and like him she has never been in better form.
The selections from the '50s cater to the anticipated prejudices of the target audiences. Rock 'n' roll gets short shrift.
Perhaps more importantly, there is no mention of the seminal influence rhythm and blues had on American popular music. By making safe choices to please its supporters, the Little Theatre missed a chance to reach new audiences.
Mark Haynie is relaxed and appealing as the narrator who smoothly and competently leads the audience from the hard times of the '30s, through the war years to the prosperity of the '50s, with the accompanying transition from radio to television.
Burton directed, sharing writing and compilation duties with Draper and choreography with Harrison. Shelley Cady was the musical director. ILLUSTRATION: AT A GLANCE
What: ``Songbook of Swing II,'' compiled and written by David
Burton and Leslie Draper.
When: 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, May 4-7; 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday,
May 12-13 and 19-20; 2:30 p.m. Sunday, May 7, 14 and 21.
Where: Little Theatre of Norfolk, 801 Claremont Ave.
Tickets: 627-8551.
by CNB