Carole J. Bufford has been a Florida Studio Theater Summer Cabaret favorite, so no surprise that FST had to extend the run of Vintage POP! three times before it opened. I am usually suspicious when a show’s title ends in an exclamation point, but in this case it’s warranted. Bufford has built a cabaret into a full musical revue, with a well-researched and written script beautifully delivered.
Arranged chronologically, both the songs Bufford sings and the clothes she wears typify major periods of musical and fashion changes from 1902 into the 1970s. Isn’t that why she chooses “Everything Old Is New Again” from 1974 to start Act I? She has — over definitely bobbed hair — a headband matching her shimmering, knee-length red evening dress. Her shoes, rhinestone studded, are appropriate for Charleston through WWII dance styles.
In Act I, Carole does significant women’s songs like “St. Louis Blues”, “A Good Man Is Hard to Find”, and “Don’t Put a Tax on the Beautiful Girls”. The latter raises Sophie Tucker’s spirit as the singer taunted President Calvin Coolidge in 1919.
When bassist and pianist draw special attention to a “Blue Moon” number, Carole comes from a screen upstage where she’s changed into a long, green gown with half-off-the-shoulder straps and a smartly flared back. Now she’s following Sophie Tucker’s song with representative pieces from great female vocalists from 1930s and WWII.
Carole makes a single out of the Andrews Sisters’s “Bei Mir Bist Du Schoen”. She does the full introduction to a dreamy “Over the Rainbow” that became Judy Garland’s signature song. Similarly, Carole recalls Edith Piaf with “La Vie En Rose”—in French. Nicely done, but if it has also been done translated into English and would have better caught some of Piaf’s inflection. A small quibble—leading happily into “It’s a Good Day” and intermission.
Act II begins with Carole in a layered, black strapless 3/4-length gown with pink at the bust and a microphone in hand. Her “Sway” is a calm precedent to the age of Rock ’n Roll with “All Shook Up” and then the slightly earlier “A Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On”. The title indicates Carole’s movement. Next: The Beatles began their reign, acknowledged by Carole with “I Wanna Hold Your Hand.”
Much movement distinguishes “You Can Never Tell.” “California Dreamin’” shows off the bassist’s guitar skills and Carole’s ability to hit amazing high notes at song’s end. Following with “There’s a Kind of Hush All Over the World”, Carole uses her rhinestoned stiletto heels to stamp “Have You Ever Seen the Rain” (1971) under an abundance of blue lights.
Finally, there’s a return to 1921 with “There’ll Be Some Changes Made.” The idea is now clear that no matter what the period, good pop music always keeps some classics and yet brings on new music destined to become classic.
Carole J. Bufford and her musicians go through a long performance without diminishing energy. All has been well lit in changing hues and intensities. Sound is never a problem; lyrics, never diminished. I do wish there had been a better scenic design. This one is serviceable, not really a design but a sort of hodgepodge. Nothing reflects the overall meaning of the revue. Still, it would be no surprise if FST has to either extend this show or bring it back again.
