Just as Jerry Lee Lewis shaped Rock & Roll, Jason Cohen embodies him and his super-energetic performances in “Great Balls of Fire.” He gets help from a multi-talented band, who often back Cohen lyrically as well as instrumentally. No doubt, though, from madcap antics to keyboard tricks to crooning love lyrics, Cohen becomes Lewis, the central singer and musician. His “trick” is to also stay himself paying a tribute to the earlier star.
Two of Lewis’s best-known hits—“Good Golly, Miss Molly” and “Shake, Rattle, and Roll”—presage what will follow: Cohen’s Lewis sings right up into his microphone (even when lifting it high), pounds out sound on the keys, and encourages his back-up musicians to repeat bits of lyrics but mainly use their instruments to accompany him. With “Rockin’ Robin” they get the audience clapping
“Blue Suede Shoes” has guitarist Luke Darnell vocalizing a bit like Elvis. It’s followed by Cohen and group expressing what they want is “Money.” The ballad “Crazy Arms” changes pace. A medley then takes the guys to Louisiana, especially New Orleans, much loved by Jerry Lee Lewis. Both Darnell and saxophonist Justin Brown provide a lot of action to match Cohen’s. “Mean Woman Blues” follows in a different mood.
Cohen chats amiably about how “No Particular Place to Go” fits his and Lewis’ life, leading into the song. Nathan Yates Douglass, double bass player, brings on his harmonica-playing talents here. “Johnny Be Good” closes the first act, with Cohen’s Lewis, guitarist Darnell, and all go-go-going strong.
There’s “A Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On” to start Act II. Cohen’s Jerry Lee Lewis has a back story for this and—with a mean piano—“What’d I Say.” The mood created goes well into a medley that starts with “I’ll Fly Away.” “High School Confidential” departs in feeling and gets into the subject of being bored and what that leads to. A very red curtain in the background fits the sequence.
Bassist Douglass scores singing “You Send Me,” also illustrating it with his instrument. Jerry Lee Lewis’s discovery of Buddy Holly and his music inspires Cohen’s rendition of “That’ll Be the Day” with an added bit from Darnell. Jerry Lee then storms again with Cohen leading “Tutti Frutti.” “Great Balls of Fire” ends the show, with Cohen as Lewis sitting backward atop the piano and pounding the keys with fingers from the arms held in back of him. It’s a sure-fire hit with the audience.
In place of usual stage direction, Catherine Randazzo provides valuable oversight of all artistic aspects of the show created by Jason Cohen and Michael Schiralli. The technical crew assures a smooth looking and sounding show. The program does not list a costumer, but the showy suits worn by Cohen as Lewis are perfect. He changes from patterned, primarily brown outfit in Act I to a black suit with red shirt and notable predominantly red shoes in Act II. Band members wear casual shirts and trousers; what stand out are their instruments that “fit” them like clothing.
