|
 “Puttin’
on the Hitz”
Best of the Great American
Songbook
From the timeless tunes of Tin Pan Alley to the bright lights of
Broadway, all the way to the heyday of the Hollywood musical,
The Great American Songbook is a dazzling parade of American
popular music from the l930s, ‘40s and ‘50s. This distinct body
of musical work collectively represents one of America’s true
cultural treasures. It is popular songwriting at its best. It’s
a staple in the curriculum for performing arts students
concentrating on voice and musical theater, and the chances are
excellent that many of your favorite tunes are a part of this
cherished collection. From the pens of George Gershwin, Jerome
Kern, Lorenz Hart, Cole Porter, Harold Arlen, Irving Berlin,
Richard Rodgers, Oscar Hammerstein II and many more, The Great
American Songbook tells the story of the first thirty years of
America’s “classic” music.
On Sunday afternoon, February 22, 2009 at the new South Dade
Senior High School, Homestead Community Concerts presented a gem
from this rich American heritage: Puttin’ On The Hitz! Two hours
of superb entertainment were brought to us by Matt Davenport
Productions. Since 1989, Matt Davenport Productions Inc. has
provided award-winning entertainment for resorts, theme parks,
special events and many national tours. Here in Florida their
production of American Jukebox helped Busch Gardens garner the
prestigious “Best Show” Award in its debut season.
Puttin’ On The Hitz! brought us songs made famous by the likes
of Al Jolson, Judy Garland, Frank Sinatra and many more. The
Gilded Age of the American movie musical which attracted the
best talent among both singers and songwriters of the time to
Hollywood and produced songs that have spanned decades found
great appeal with our Homestead audience. This was a nostalgic
look back at true classics, music that evokes memories yet still
remains fresh and relevant.
All of the cast are from the Nashville, Tennessee area except
one. The curly-haired brunette cutie (back row far right wearing
black velvet in the first scene) is a local gal named Vanessa
Callahan. She attended South Miami Middle School and New World
School of the Arts, and then went on to study theatre with Ron
Hendrick at Shenandoah Conservatory in Virginia. She reserved
(according to the ticket office) seventeen tickets for her
family. From the response whenever she got the “spotlight”, I’d
say that by halfway through the show the audience had crowned
her one of the stars of the evening. “You rocked girl!”
The traditional “pit” (the musicians) was on stage as part of
the set. They included Pete Mattice, Bass; Brian Williams,
percussion; Mason Embry, music director, pianist, and several
times one of the singers. This trio became a quartet as cast
member Adam Smith several times joined the instrumentalists on
trumpet. These men played for at least an hour before the show
just to entertain themselves. Must be tough to like your job
that much!
More inside news about the cast. Jenny Slate Lee and hubby
Johnny (part of the crew) were married on February 22. We were
delighted to have you celebrate your sixth anniversary with us.
The troupe will conclude their Florida tour with shows at Sun
City and Clear Water. One cast member told me they were not in a
big hurry to get home as it was snowing and 20 degrees when they
bussed out of Nashville. Welcome to our Florida winter!
Act I opened with a full cast song and dance routine to “S’Wonderful”.
This was followed by what they called The Tin (Pan) Man of
favorites like “I’ve Got the World on a String”, “The Lady Is a
Tramp”, and “Our Love Is Here To Stay”.
The stage was then transformed into a radio studio with
oversized microphones, sound effects table, an
announcer/narrator, the female trio back-up group as we were
taken on a melodrama train ride with the famous? Harry Guy,
Private Eye. Songs included: “Route 66” (complete with
vaudeville shtick and percussion “ka-boom! Tisch!” on the
jokes), “Chicago”, “New York, New York”, and others. The set
disappeared during “Georgia On My Mind”, sweet solo ending with
mellow close harmony.
Next was a gentle “I Can’t Stand Lovin’ You” which went quickly
into an up-tempo song and dance “Hit the Road Jack”, then 3 guy
crooners on “Cryin’ Time”, and ending with a song and dance rock
version of “Tell Me What I’d Say”.
Some narrative and a solo version of “Singin’ In The Rain”
introduced us to Hollywood of the 1930’s. We then got a much
shortened version of The Wizard of Oz: “Ding Dong the Witch Is
Dead”, “Follow the Yellow Brick Road””If I Only Had a…”, and
“We’re Off To See the Wizard”. This mini-show ended with
“Somewhere Over the Rainbow”. This writer was in the first row.
The juxtaposition of modern close harmony, the savvy stage voice
of the soloist, and a sweet innocent Dorothy character was
fantastic. Jenny (playing Dorothy) had eyes and a face that
would melt an iceberg!
Act I ended with a short blues solo, then into an up-tempo jazz
song and dance version of “It Don’t Mean a Thing If It Ain’t Got
That Swing”.
Act II started with a full cast version of “Sing, Sing, Sing”.
Then complete with blue costumes we heard: “At Last”, “She’s Got
You”, “Ain’t No Sunshine”, and “Thrill Is Gone”. Large picture
frames were used to focus the audience on different performers
and were also artistically incorporated into the dancing.
The cast then invited us to take a trip with them: “Sentimental
Journey”, “The Best Is Yet To Come” with a blond bombshell
flitting between two men (one singing and one playing trumpet),
“Come Fly Me to the moon” and “It Had To Be You” cleverly done
as a partner song (part of both songs sung and danced at the
same time), “Unforgettable” with a great lounge sound from the
“pit”, and ending with an up-tempo “This can’t Be Love” by the
ladies.
Our audience got into the next section. The cast, now in bright
red outfits sang and danced to: “Rock and Roll Music”, Rockin’
Robin”, “In the Still of the Night” (We “shooby-dooped” along
with them.), “Great Balls of Fire” into and partnered with
“Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On”. It seems that much of our
audience could hang in there with this music for “the young”.
The penultimate section with the cast in black glittery dresses
and gray and black suits presented some of the great American
idols. Do you remember who sang: “Get Ready”, “Where Did Our
Love Go”, “Stop in the Name of Love”, “Sugar Pie Honey Bunch”,
or “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough”?
We were told that the way a song is delivered is what makes the
singer and song writer one. This last piece “Bride Over Troubled
Water” had a touch of gospel, some audience participation, and
the most dramatic and stylized dancing of the show. The entire
cast then got drum sticks and as they introduced each other tap
danced and high kicked to: “42nd Street”, “I’ve Got Rhythm”, and
“Tea for Two”.
This dynamic cast of eight singers/dancers, trio (sometimes
quartet) of fine jazz musicians, the choreography, scenery, and
costumes made this a complete production that reminds us that:
“There’s no business like show business!” This troupe could have
performed on a bare stage wearing T-shirts and gym shorts and we
would have still enjoyed them. They are multi-talented, young
and energetic, and they enjoyed performing for us as much as we
enjoyed listening and watching them! If you weren’t there, you
missed a good one!
Put Sunday, March 22, 2009 on your calendar. The Homestead
Community Concerts closes its season with the Audubon Quartet.
Yes, they have won international competition and awards for
their ‘classical” skills, but, their Homestead performance will
include music from “The Great American Songbook”. For tickets,
call (305) 235-8818 or (305) 253-6620, or go to
www.homesteadconcerts.com. |
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