THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, May 25, 1995 TAG: 9505240200
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 12 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Theater Review
SOURCE: Montague Gammon III
LENGTH: Medium: 71 lines
The Hurrah Players' aptly titled musical review ``Showstoppers'' fills the Wells Theatre with enthusiasm, energy and talent.
Director and choreographer Hugh Copeland has given the first half of the production the format of a play within a play. The cast assembles as if auditioning for Broadway, and the big song and dance numbers ``Showstoppers'' and ``Broadway Kids'' get the show off to a rousing start.
Three smaller numbers, showcasing some of the fine individual talents that make up the company, follow the big choral pieces. Jennifer Coker stands out in ``City Lights,'' as she will shine with her captivatingly mature rendition of ``Stormy Weather'' later in Act 1.
Amber Wiley is sincere and effective, and in lovely voice, with ``Second Hand Rose.'' Wiley also returns to the stage, in the second act, with a tender interpretation of ``Belle's Song'' in the company of Carlos Clanton.
Ben Gugler - who with his younger brother Mark Gugler remains a mainstay of the Players' shows - has a tap solo, ``Fabulous Feet,'' that leads into two more big song and dance pieces.
The verve and clarity of ``Tap'' and ``Broadway Babies'' reveal this company at close to its best, in part because even the smallest children in the largest choruses are treated like the individuals they are.
The myriad of clearly defined actions and interactions that fill every scene of ``Showstoppers'' not only provide depth and interest but allow each performer to maintain their identity even as all the efforts blend into an ensemble.
Enthusiastic audience response supports the critical judgment that ``It's Raining Men,'' by Sagay Johnson, Thelma Lynn White, Nakeya Hudson and Lindsay Eure, is one highlight of the production. After the young duo of Caroline Jones and Christopher Jones do a cute but not cloying version of ``Rainbow Connection,'' Sarah Garvey-Potvin really stops the show with ``Golden Rainbow.''
Three years of complimenting Garvey-Potvin for her lovely, rich voice, her sharp dancing and her acting have just about worn out the conventional adjectives. Whether she is a featured soloist or a chorus member, the infectious sense of delight she projects every moment she is on stage gives a special polish to her abilities.
Her valedictory Hurrah Players number, a tender and charming version of ``Where the Boys Are,'' comes late in Act II.
The versatile, natural comic Will Cervarich is another of Copeland's discoveries. He gets to imitate the Big Bopper, with overtones of Jerry Lee Lewis, in ``Chantelly Lace,'' and later does a funny Forest Gump bit. Angel Trent, who like Coker promises to be an important talent, has one solo and then joins Pamela Speight, Kate Wade and Rachel Ford for a cleverly choreographed and well-performed ``Why Haven't I Heard From You?''
Van Hughes is featured in the wryly amusing ``Lifestyles of the Not So Rich and Famous,'' and in the tongue-in-cheek ``If Bubba Can Dance,'' and Cervarich close the first part of the show with Ryan Smith in ``Baby Likes to Rock It.''
Wherever the material being served up comes from, and whether it is rock or country or ballad or Broadway, it is the remarkable array of talents mustered by the Hurrah Players that really please the audience. ILLUSTRATION: AT A GLANCE
What: ``Showstoppers,'' presented by the Hurrah Players.
When: 7 p.m. Friday, 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Where: Wells Theatre, Tazewell Street and Monticello Avenue,
Norfolk.
Tickets: 627-5437.
by CNB