Storyline: A high-spirited revue presentation
of a sampling of the songs of the composer/lyricist of Godspell, Pippin, The Magic Show, The Baker's Wife,
The Children of Eden, Captain Louie and Wicked who was also the
lyricist for Leonard Bernstein's Mass, Charles Strouse's Rags and the animated films
Pocahontas and The Hunchback of Notre Dame.
Bobbitt conceived of this revue based, as the rather pedestrian title
states, on the work of Stephen Schwartz. He selected twenty-seven songs
Schwartz wrote between 1970 when he provided a new score for a project
called Godspell and became an instant wunderkind, and 2003 when his
latest Broadway effort, Wicked,
became something of a phenomenon that continues to draw crowds. As anyone
who has followed his career knows (or those who attended the ArtSpeak! evening
when he came to Poe Middle School in Annandale to sing a few songs, answer a
few questions and generally inspire the students and families with his love
of the art of the popular song), many of his songs deal with the aspirations
of individuals for better things - think of "Colors of the Wind" (with music
by Alan Menken) or "Corner of the Sky" or "Defying Gravity."
Felicia Curry adds to her impressive list of
performances leading an exciting
“Ain’t It Good” (from Children of Eden) that goes from soulful solo
to a rousing gospel sing, clap and stamp along that is the highlight of an
evening full of highlights. She also is a standout on "Manchild Lullaby"
with its lyric by Leida Snow. Florrie Bagel brings a clarity of enunciation
as well as pitch to The Magic Show's "West End Avenue" and Amber
Moorer delivers the lyric of "Colors Of The Wind" from Pocahontas
with dramatic effectiveness. On the other hand, Andrew Sonntag's "Out There"
(from Hunchback of Notre Dame) misses some of the meaning of the
lyrics. Godspell's "Day by Day" is rendered in multiple languages
(which avoids the boredom the song can engender as it endlessly repeats its
three-word title). "The Spark of Creation" (also from Children of Eden)
acts as a pair of bookends giving a jump start to the start of the show and
delivering the final image before the curtain call.
The small theater that is MetroStage, with
its steep banks of seats gives everyone in the audience an unimpeded view of
Bobbitt's inventive choreography including nifty uses of light sticks and
sneakers with wheelies. The walls reverberate with the enthusiastic singing
of the cast. The band led by Doug Bowles puts out a sufficiently supportive
sound, but, strangely, the arrangements by John L. Cornelius II give more of
a laid back jazz club atmosphere to the accompaniment at times when
theatrical pizzazz seems called for. Alex Cooper's strikingly attractive set
is dramatically lit at appropriate moments by Jason Arnold. For all the
attractive setting and youthful performers, the visual impact of the show
isn't all that it could be, however, because the costumes are a fairly
unattractive mélange of layered outfits. Pity.
Music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz with
additional music by Alan Menken, Charles Strouse and additional lyrics by
Leida Snow. Conceived, directed and choreographed by Michael J. Bobbitt.
Musical direction by Doug Bowles. Musical arrangements by John L. Cornelius
II. Design: Alex Cooper (set) Emily Dere (costumes) Kevin Laughon
(properties) Jason Arnold (lights) Jessica Lee Winfield (stage manager).
Cast: Florrie Bagel, Priscilla Cuellar, Felicia Curry, Kerry Deitrick,
Benjamin Horen, Amber Moorer, Jobari Parker-Namdar, Andrew Sonntag, Clif
Walker. Band: Brent Birckhead, Doug Bowles, Jean Finstad, Vishal Panchal,
Darius Smith, Danny Villanueva. |
July - September, 2008
Rooms
Scott Schwartz will direct a rock musical with a score by Paul Scott Goodman
which was previously mounted in New York. One of the cast members from that
production, Natascia Diaz who starred in Signature Theatre's Kiss of the
Spider Woman this Spring will return to the piece.
November - December, 2008
Cool Papa's Party
Thomas W Jones II and William Knowles premiere a musical viewing the 20th
century "through the eyes of the last great American hipster."
April - May, 2009
Heroes
Ralph Cosham, Terrence Currier and Michael Tolaydo play three residents of
an old soldiers home in Paris in Tom Stoppard's translation of the play by
Gerald Sibleyras. John Vreeke directs. |
