BROADWAY BY THE YEAR 1947 AND 1966


The Broadway musicals of 1947 and 1966 were so different, and that made for the interesting pairing in the latest “Broadway by the Year” concert at The Town Hall last night (March 26). Creator-writer-director-host Scott Siegel dispensed his customary affability as he refreshed our memory of all that was happening in the world during those years, and also introduced the ultra-talented performers who brought the songs to life.

The first act was devoted to the imaginary worlds of “Finian’s Rainbow” and “Brigadoon,” and the second act concentrated on dynamic shows that included “Cabaret,” “Mame” and “Sweet Charity.”

While this concert did not have as many especially well-known performers as some in the past—the best known this time around were the superb Tony Yazbeck and Eddie Korbich—all of the contributors were standouts. Take the opener, for example. A very pregnant Jenny Lee Stern rocked the place with her “Necessity” from “Finian’s Rainbow.” She wore a tight black dress that accented her condition and even threw in some sexy body moves to show off her self-assurance as she made the number a zinger.

We saw Stern later wringing emotion out of “If He Walked Into My Life” from “Mame” and doing more than justice to the iconic “Cabaret.” Among the women, Betsy Wolfe, whose recent credit was taking over the lead on Broadway in “Waitress,” proved to be a charmer with a gorgeous voice and inviting stage presence. She did a lovely rendition of “Look to the Rainbow” from “Finian’s Rainbow” and a saucy “You’ve Got Possibilities” from “It’s a Bird...It’s a Plane...It’s Superman!” Wolfe toyed with Siegel, sidling up to him to suggest in song the possibility of his possibilities.

Also a divine singer, Mia Gerachis captivated the audience with “How Are Things in Glocca Morra?” from “Finian’s Rainbow” and also impressed with the cry-of-despair number “There’s Gotta Be Something Better Than This” from “Sweet Charity.”

Lesli Margherita is in an entirely different category, an over-the-top performer who lights a fire with her numbers, as in her “The Gentleman is a Dope” from “Allegro,” and even more so with her egomaniacal “Gorgeous” from “The Apple Tree.” She also dynamically led the show’s closer “It’s Today” from “Mame,” with snappy dancing by the Broadway by the Year Dance ensemble, choreographed by Danny Gardner. Members of the ensemble include Bailey Callahan, Tricia DeSario, Drew Humphrey, Bryan Hunt, Corrine Munsch, Phoebe Pearl, Jake Primmerman and Joseph Sammour. The dancers also wowed with the second act opener, “Wilkommen” from “Cabaret,” also choreographed by Gardner, with Siegel chiming in a few words with a German accent from his sideline perch.

Now to the men. Tony Yazbeck, an admired Broadway star, gave an unusual and very effective interpretation of “Old Devil Moon” from “Finian’s Rainbow,” and was even more sensational concluding the first act by dancing to his own choreography and singing “Almost Like Being in Love” from “Brigadoon.” Getting him was quite a coup.

Eddie Korbich, also a Broadway veteran, can handily switch gears for different type numbers. He gave a comic touch to “When I’m Not Near the Girl I Love” from “Finian’s Rainbow,” provided a romantic lilt to “Go Home With Bonnie Jean’’ (“Brigadoon”) and teamed with Sal Viviano without mikes to sing “There But for You Go I,” also from “Brigadoon.” Then in the second act he was back comically cavorting as “Father of the Bride” from “I Do, I Do!”

Speaking of Viviano, he is a real catch. Impressive looking to start with, he has a commanding voice matched by the passion he puts into a song, and he has had an international concert career. His participation was a highlight of the evening, evidenced by, in addition to his duet with Korbich, his singing “Come to Me, Bend to Me” (“Brigadoon”) and “My Cup Runneth Over” (“I do!, I do!”).

This was a show in which the performers were especially well-matched to their numbers, and a fresh perspective was provided on the years covered. As customary with the series, Ross Patterson was the savvy music director as well as the expert pianist. His top-notch “Little Big Band” members were Tom Hubbard on bass and Eric Halvorson on drums. Other credits: Holly Cruz, staging consultant, Gina Thompson, stage manager, and Rick Hinkson, assistant director and assistant stage manager. At The Town Hall, 123 West 43rd Street. Reviewed March 27, 2018.




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