And the hits keep coming...
This week, two musicals that are both entertaining and fun.
Million Dollar Quartet is the story of one single day in music history. Orchestrated by Sam Phillips, the force behind Sun Records and dubbed, "the father of Rock and Roll," Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash and Elvis were together under one roof, for one night. Each man brought a unique and outstanding talent to the world.
The show lays out the loose story of this meeting on Dec. 4, 1956 with Hunter Foster as Sam Phillips, the impresario bringing the boys together.
The format of the piece is fairly simple and somewhat repetitive, with the book being the weakest link, having Sam often retreat behind the sound booth glass to watch the guys play. There is a girl who comes in with Elvis. She breaks up the action with her singing and adds visual texture with a raspberry sorbet colored dress.
The performers in the cast are incredibly talented and each gets to have his moment in the "sun," pardon the pun. We get to hear amazing renditions of such classics as "Blue Suede Shoes," "I Walk the Line" "Folsom Prison Blues" and "Great Balls of Fire." The performers: Eddie Clendening as Elvis, Lance Guest in black, of course, playing Johnny Cash, Robert Britton Lyons cast as Carl Perkins and Levi Kreis as Jerry Lee Lewis are truly outstanding in their roles. Elizabeth Stanley as Dyanne does a great job too. My favorite character, and I think the crowd's favorite, was Levi Kreis as Jerry Lee Lewis. Phenomenal piano player, and super stage presence.
So here's the scoop: Most of Million Dollar Quartet is nice and entertaining, but could possibly be mistaken for a review at some good regional theater. But...and here's where the word "but" really is imperative, the last fifteen minutes of the show is when the piece ignites. I only wish we had seen it sooner.
Those fifteen minutes is worth the price of admission. Suffice it to say, the performers up their game. "These guys on stage," I whispered, "are almost better than the originals!"
(Joan Marcus photographer)
Million Dollar Quartet plays at the Nederlander Theatre on West 41st Street.www.milliondollarquartetlive.com
Now, get ready to snap fingers. As in The Addams Family Snap. Embedded in our baby boomer consciousness, The Addams Family brings us nostalgia, inside jokes, and the delicious Nathan Lane as Gomez. Playing his Morticia is Bebe Neuwirth, in a marvelously constructed black dress (how does she stay all together in that dress even when dancing?) The two work well together, as does the rest of the cast. Special mention: Kevin Chamberlin as Uncle Fester is truly the Fester we knew from the black and white tv show of days gone by.
Despite some withering reviews that are out there, I really enjoyed the show. The sensibility of it, the music and lyrics, the book, the performances. This new musical features a book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice and music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa. Directed and designed by Phelim McDermott and Julian Crouch.
You've also got veterans Carolee Carmello and Terence Mann as the parents of the boy Wednesday falls in love with. And the set...is ....just smashing. I kept thinking about the huge budget for all the big and little incidentals that worked so well together. For this baby boomer, I say, if you are looking for pure fun and entertainment, "snap" over to The Addams Family at the Lunt Fontanne on West 46th. www.theaddamsfamilymusical.com
And now for a big announcement....
After being off the air for over two years, I am kicking off a new daily talk show titled, "Valerie's New York" on
WOR's internet station, www.wor710.com
This will be the first originally produced program for their stream (instead of simulcasting what is on the air on WOR). My show will be all about New York, places I find, people I meet, discussions with celebrities and real deal New Yorkers. I hope you'll listen live weekdays from 11 am to noon. Or if you prefer, you can always hear the show on demand.
If you have any thoughts or suggestions, I'd love to hear from you.
Thanks my friends!
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Valerie Smaldone
Media Personality, Actress, Producer, Writer
Valerie Smaldone, a 5 time Billboard Magazine Award winner, is perhaps best known for her unprecedented success holding the #1 position in the New York radio market as the midday host of New York’s 106.7 FM. She ended her on air run with the station at the end of 2007. In addition, she was the co-creator, writer, producer and host of 'Spotlight On,' a nationally syndicated program that featured in-depth interviews with top recording artists such as Paul McCartney, Elton John, Sting and Celine Dion, to name a few.
Presently, Valerie can be heard on NBC Network News promos and specialty shows and as the announcer for The Boomer Esiason Show on MSG. She writes a weekly nightlife column for TheThreeTomatoes.com, writes a theater column for Examiner.com, and has an interview program on the Italian American Network. She is an interviewer and feature reporter on Broadway for TonyAwards.com and hosts and produces celebrity portrait unveilings for Broadway stars at famed theater district eatery, Tony’s.
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