Four women and a mellow male pianist bring us back to the singing, swaying, swinging and sweet-girls-to-sassy ladies Gal Groups from their high school days in the 1960s through to the revolutionary '70s into the '80s. They make the journey with style and syncopation.
After what seems to be an obligatory “Da Doo Ron Ron,” FST favorite (with good reason) Jannie Jones releases some of her power leading the group into “One Fine Day.” Soon they're passing through such teen favorites as “Lollipop” and the collegiate search for “Where the Boys Are.” Jannie gets hip with “Love is Like an Itching in My Heart” followed by Liz Power's fun definition of “Good Girls” leading into a full four treatment of “Leader of the Pack” and eventually the nice, “Why Do Fools Fall in Love?”
Act II has the four plunging vigorously into “The Shoop Shoop Song” followed by Susan Haefner's “Mairzy Doats” that recalls some of our silly times (but fun, too). Erin McGrath is central to a medley that includes the dances “Locomotion,” the Mashed Potato, “The Wah-Watusi” and “Hully Gully” ending in a “Land of a Thousand Dances.”
Susan, who seems a bit too mature in Act I, makes a better fit with the love song, “Son of a Preacher Man” here. “Color My World” shows the range that kept Liz at the Cabaret for months in a show that began last year and won her acclaim.
Sassy Erin shines telling her boyfriend “You Don't Own Me” and speaking up for the time women made it known they won't put up with control and their men cheating. “These Boots Are Made for Walkin'” stresses that in spades.
Choreography and direction help accent the drama in the lyrics throughout. A sweet ending comes with such songs as “What the World Needs Now Is Love” and a medley about love. Jannie helps end with a vigorous “Natural Woman” that's almost gospel in musical quality and is as well articulated as a good actress can deliver. The whole show comes off as colorful as the quartet's shimmery costumes in bright primary hues accented by their backdrop and lighting.
Previews:
October 23, 2013
Opened:
October 25, 2013
Ended:
February 1, 2014
Country:
USA
State:
Florida
City:
Sarasota
Company/Producers:
Florida Studio Theater
Theater Type:
Regional
Theater:
Florida Studio Theater - Court Cabaret
Theater Address:
Palm Avenue
Phone:
941-366-9000
Website:
floridastudiotheatre.org
Running Time:
2 hrs, 15 min
Genre:
Musical Revue
Director:
Dennis Courtney
Review:
Cast:
Susan Haefner, Jannie Jones,Erin McGrath, Liz Power
Technical:
Music Dir: Jeffrey Campos; Costumes: Susan Angermann; Lighting: Kate DeWall; Sound: John Valines; Stage Mgr: Aaron Watson
Critic:
Marie J. Kilker
Date Reviewed:
October 2013
