THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, August 31, 1995 TAG: 9508310412
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B4 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
TYPE: Theater Review
SOURCE: BY FRANK ROBERTS, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 72 lines
Rodgers & Hammerstein were considered innovative. Their songs were part of the plots, not something to be tossed in when the mood strikes, as in most musicals preceding their Broadway arrival.
Now, there is innovation to the innovative pair: ``A Grand Night For Singing,'' - a superb, flawless, delightful Encore Theatre production.
A cast of six offers about 30 pieces from the Rodgers & Hammerstein song book - performed not as originally intended but - well - innovatively.
Men do women's songs, groups perform items that were once solos, ``Kansas City'' gets jivey, etc. The plots of the song change a little, but the meaningful words and wonderful music are retained.
The performers make it work - professionals with outstanding voices who know how to sell a song to willing buyers. They shine individually and as an ensemble.
Mary Cherry, Janet Gregory, Kent Luton, E. Scott Wells and his wife, Lara, are almost becoming an Elizabeth City musical stock company. This time they are ably aided by Holly Wright, who makes her first stage appearance in a decade.
The stage is as simple as it gets - three steps, three plants and a park bench. The singers come and go with ballads, up-tempo items and some fun pieces - a handsome mix.
It is the Encore group's first production on the Main Street Stage, a fund-raiser for their new theater. Hopefully, and it is in the talking stage, something like ``A Grand Night For Singing'' could become an annual money-raising event - with offerings by Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, etc.
The Rodgers & Hammerstein presentation is expertly directed and choreographed by Lara Wells who, onstage, is a magnetic, attention-getting personality. Check her smile as she chirps, ``I Cain't Say No.''
Her husband, with his fascinating hangdog expression and little-boy charm, is particularly effective in some of the comedy numbers, especially ``Honey Bun.''
It is a honey of a show that keeps your attention from start to finish - pure quality with no dull moments or uninteresting offerings.
One of the most interesting offerings is ``When the Children Are Asleep'' and ``My Little Girl,'' a tear-in-the-eye hit-home medley for parents and grandparents.
It is hard, almost unfair, to single out the best pieces. All are four-star but, if you want to toss in another half-star, watch for these:
Scott Wells and Holly Wright delighting with ``The Surrey With the Fringe On Top.'' Luton warming hearts by doing ``Do I Love You Because You're Beautiful?'' and ``Love, Look Away.''
He and Wright, Gregory and Scott Wells are attention-grabbers with ``Many a New Day'' and ``I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Out of My Hair.''
Wells and Gregory again, this time shining with ``Shall We Dance?'' and Wells hitting the heart with ``This Nearly Was Mine.'' Cherry embraces with ``It Might As Well Be Spring,'' and the whole company gets gorgeous doing ``Some Enchanted Evening.''
It is definitely an enchanted evening, definitely ``A Grand Night For Singing.''
If the music of Rodgers & Hammerstein transports you to a land of dreams, beauty, fun and wonder, do not miss the Encore Theatre presentation of their music. It is outstanding. ILLUSTRATION: THEATER REVIEW
WHAT: ``A Grand Night For Singing'' - the music of Rodgers &
Hammerstein.
WHEN: 8 p.m. Sept. 1 and 2.
WHERE: Main Street Stage, 609 East Main St., Elizabeth City.
by CNB