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A CurtainUp Review
First You Dream:
The Music of Kander and Ebb
Julia Murney and Heidi Blickenstaff (left to right) sing "The Apple Doesn't Fall Very Far", from Kander and Ebb's The Rink,
(Photo: )
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In the first act of First You Dream, a cabaret style revue of Kander and Ebb songs, the audience is treated to numbers they may never have heard before, such as "Sara Lee," a silly ode to the cake mix; "City Lights,""from The Act, which pans country living and extols the glories of the noise and dirt of a city, and "Boom Ditty Boom," from 70, Girls, 70, a cleverly-choreographed (by Karma Camp) ode to sex. By act two, the tunes get more familiar: "Razzle Dazzle" and "The Cell Block Tango" from Chicago, "Cabaret" and "Maybe This Time" from Cabaret and just before the finale, "New York, New York," with a highly original orchestration by William David Brohn— beginning with one horn and building slowly. Director Eric Schaeffer has done what he does best: brought to the stage not-so-well-known songs (and musicals) that deserve to be front and center and an original look at well-known material.
Working with an excellent cast, it is as though Schaeffer has brought out the best in each singer by having them work well as an ensemble and in solos, too. All the performers are paired nicely with the many parts they play. Special kudos to Eleasha Gamble who, if there were a prize for artist who has improved the most over the last few seasons, she'd be the sure-fire winner. And Matt Scott, a truly dynamic actor, singer, and dancer is mesmerizing.
What good is sitting alone in your room when First You Dream is playing at Signature Theatre? None. This is a terrific show with, as of now, a short run. Let's hope it has legs.
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First You Dream: The Music of Kander and Ebb, a theater event. Direction and set design: Eric Schaeffer Orchestrator: William David Brohn Musical supervision and new arrangements: David Loud Music Director: Jon Kalbfleisch Choreography: Karma Camp Cast: Heidi Blickenstaff, James Clow, Eleasha Gamble, Norm Lewis, Julia Murney, and Matthew Scott Running time: two hours and forty minutes Signature Theatre, 4200 Campbell Ave., Arlington. http://www.signature-theatre.org. From September 10 to 27, 2009 Reviewed by Susan Davidson, September 12, 2009 |
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