Following their triumphant-though-unfortunately-sparsely-attended production of Evita, The Prather Family's Broadway Palm West has gone more traditional with their next dinner theatre production, Smokey Joe's Cafe. Recognizing the appeal of a musical revue of 50s and 60s hits based both on their location and the summer temperatures, Director Gene Lubas has gathered together an ensemble of five men and four women to present the hit parade of songs by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller. Two fantastic performers and several excellent singers and dancers who offer renditions of such great oldies as "Yakety Yak," "Love Potion #9" and "Spanish Harlem" highlight the production. The result is an enjoyable evening of early rock hits with a few standout moments.
Once again, the dinner's highlight is the meat. The London Broil is tender, and the wild mushroom Jack Daniel demi glaze is flavorful and excellent. The Honey-roasted Ham is equally as good. My companion liked the Potato-crusted Pollock Filet, and had no comment either way about the Vegetarian Baked Ziti. The only disappointment, a major one, was the flaccid Chicken Cacciatore, which suffered from severe overcooking. The veggies are tasty, highlighted by Roasted Garlic and Cheddar Mashed Potatoes and crisp Green Beans Almondine.
Rowena Roberts and Juson J. Williams are the stars of this ensemble. Ms. Roberts has a Dreamgirls voice and commanding stage presence which she uses to great effect both times she sings "Fools Fall in Love," while berating her man in "Hound Dog" and when she stops the show just before intermission with "Saved." Mr. Williams kicks up the levels after the first few songs of the evening when he is highlighted in "Keep on Rollin'" and "Searchin'." The others each get a chance to shine, and some of the quartet work is impressive. Gordon Michaels is a hoot as he bemoans his loss in "There Goes My Baby." Mr. Williams and Mr. Michaels are joined by Roland Burks and Daryl DeLance to offer a particularly vibrant version of "On Broadway" featuring Russell A. Thompson's light show.
Leggy gals Myorah B. Middleton and Jenn Fraser get their chances to strut their stuff; Ms. Middleton dances with a lucky 15-foot feather boa in her sultry rendition of "Don Juan," Ms. Fraser joins her for a steamy version of "Trouble" and then knocks the audiences for a loop with help from costume designer Ruben Permel as she shows all the right moves in "Teach Me How to Shimmy." Nicole Noelle Winter specializes in the heartbreaking ballads with songs like "I Keep Forgettin'" and "Pearl's a Singer."
While there's a lot to like about the show, there are a few disappointments. The final member of the ensemble, Chad Albright, is unremarkable in what should have been a showstopper, "Jailhouse Rock." While Mr. Lubas' choreography is energetic, it doesn't discover any interesting levels until late in the second act. A lot of the dancing is static and linear. Highly entertaining dance moves such as those featured in "Shoppin' for Clothes" are balanced by a lot of chorus lines in songs like "Charlie Brown" and "Stand By Me." Though Mr. Permel gets the costume right with "...Shimmy," many others are ill-fitting and unflattering. John C. Rager's sets consist of several painted panels that slide across the stage and are set in differing positions, which is an acceptable, if not exactly daring choice. Kudos does go to JR McAlexander's onstage rock band. They set the tone for all of the musical success.
Overall this is a fun show for the summer. The songs are upbeat, the performers committed, and the subject is light. While no locals are featured here, BPW's upcoming production of Annie will more than make up for it, with a collection of local youngsters getting their chance to be featured in a professional production.
Production Details:
Smokey Joe's Cafe Words and
Music by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller
Broadway Palm West
Dinner Theatre, Mesa
(For a map to location,
click this
link)
(480) 325-6700
June 13th - July 13th, 2002