A sequel to a show named for the “girl group” of the title, The Prima Donnettes, this edition has four pretty women dancing--not on the streets--but before the red-blue-purple curtained backdrop of Florida Studio Theater’s newest cabaret. No matter the title, the revue keeps the audience in its seats--but clapping, clapping, even as part of a song arrangement or two.
Due to a hospitalization and rehab, I’ve missed this revue until its mid-run, but there was nary a sign of energies flagging in movement or vocals. Pianist Jim Prosser gets the show started on high notes and later even supplies a few occasional sound effects. The opening “Da Doo Ron Ron” hints at 1950s girls’ features before they bring women’s concerns up front.
FST favorite Jannie Jones, all in gold, renders “Mister Sandman” as a solo backed by her three cohorts, a frequent way of presenting numbers. Jannie goes through slippery slides with “Fever” and, in Part One, also seems knowing that “Everybody’s Somebody’s Fool: and “You Can’t Hurry Love.” The latter also begins Part Two, embellished by Jannie using a tambourine. Mid-way she collaborates with Jim at his piano.
Courtney Stokes proves strong alone on stage singing “I Am Woman,” then slides to “All By Myself” only to be joined by the other singers. Claiming self-sufficiency, they test Dennis Courtney’s choreography with“Dancing in the Street” led by Melissa Robinette. Maggie Politi singing “Shout” gets “yeah, yeah, yea” audience agreement, but she’s otherwise least appreciated of the singers, making “Heatwave” rather tepid.
Though the slightest woman bodily, Melissa projects forcefully, especially in a narrative medley in Part Two that begins with “Bang Bang” (not a favorite) and ends with a frenzied “I Will Survive” pushing Jannie up front. Melissa’s gestures are also the group’s strongest; no one in the mezzanine can miss her up-flung arm or to-the-side gaze. Her narrative “Lipstick on Your Collar,” about breaking up with a boyfriend who’s probably strayed, is typical of her.
Once again at FST, Dennis Courtney displays all-of-a-piece direction. Susan Angermann’s costumes suit each performer, whether in bright red, green, royal blue or gold. Skirts never impede motion. Shoes gleam but do not detract attention from those who wear them. There’s much better than in-the-streets lighting of the dancing and singers.
