I mention this because today we saw “Smokey Joe’s Cafe at Cabrillo Music Theatre in Thousand Oaks. Smokey Joe’s Cafe is a musical that celebrates the music of Jerry Lieber and Mike Stoller. The musical started its life at the Ahmanson/Doolittle Theatre in 1994, went on to Broadway (running for five years) and an extensive a touring life. The cast albums was awarded the 1995 Grammy® for Best Musical Show Album and was honored with nominations for seven 1994-1995 Tony® Awards. The songs in the show are a familiar bunch, including hits such as Poison Ivy, On Broadway, D. W. Washburn, Yakety Tak, Charlie Brown, Hound Dog, I’m A Woman, Love Potion #9, Jailhouse Rok, Spanish Harlem, and Stand By Me. As you can guess, there’s not that much true acting in the show–a production succeeds or fails based on the strength of the singing and the dancing.
Cabrillo Music Theatre (as usual) had an excellent production. The cast was very strong, featuring Stephanie Burkett Gerson, Karen McClain*, Dion Mial, Reign Morton, Niles Rivers, Michael A. Shepperd*, Leslie Spencer Smith, Alistair Tober*, and Nataly Wright. According to the Ventura County Star, Cabrillo auditioned 140 actors to fill these 9 spots. They were all strong singers, and I was particular impressed with Karen McClain (who I think we’ll see again on the Cabrillo stage), Leslie Spencer Smith, and Michael A. Shepperd (all Equity). I also watched their faces, and most were getting into their characters (and it was a joy to see them react and play with their roles in each song). Dancing wise, I was a little less impressed. Movement could have been a bit more precise (but that would come with more rehearsal), and Nataly Wright, in particular, seemed to be watching her movements instead of their being fluid and free (and this served to prevent her from getting as much into her characters). But that was a small distraction, just like the overdone eye makeup of Stephanie Gerson. Both, I’m sure, would be corrected in a longer run. You can see pictures of the cast in this review, but I don’t agree with that review’s assessment of the singing–or perhaps it was an early performance.
[* indicates Actors Equity Member]
The set was a very simple set, with some very effective sliding panels and a movable scaffold. You don’t need much for this show. The lighting didn’t serve to distract, although one piece was a little dark. Costumes were quite good.
The production was directed and choreographed by Paul David Bryant. Musical direction was by Lloyd Cooper, who conducted the 7-piece band of Lloyd Cooper (piano), John Stephens (tenor sax, baritone sax), Chris Kimbler (synthesizer keyboard), Steve Bringelson (electric bass), Brian Reardon (electric guitar), Deve Peck (percussion), and Dave Lotfi (set drums). Lighting was designed by Steven Young, sound by Jonathan Burke, and costumes by Christine Gibson. Production stage management was by Lindsay Martens assisted by Melissa Machat, with technical direction by Hugh Scott. The artistic director of CMT is Lewis Wilkenfeld, and Carole W. Nussbaum is President and CEO of CMT.
There are two more performances of Smokey Joe’s Cafe: tonight at 9pm, and tomorrow at 2pm.
Cabrillo Music Theatre has also announced their 2007-2008 season of musicals, which will consist of the following 4 shows (they’ve added a winter show): Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (Oct 26-Nov 4 2007); Ain’t Misbehavin’ (Jan 4-Jan 13 2008); Jekell & Hyde: The Musical (Mar 7-Mar 16, 2008); and Singin in the Rain (Jul 25-Aug 8 2008). Prices have gone up significantly: our balcony tickets which were $11/ticket/show back in 2001 and $14/ticket/show last year have gone up to $24/ticket/show (meaning last year’s $126 subscription will cost $288 this year). I’m guessing that attendance has gone down (less kid-oriented shows and old chestnuts); this might also explain why they have a new publicity team. As this team puts some of their other theatres up on Goldstar, perhaps we’ll see Cabrillo finally have a decent website and be listed on Goldstar.
As for us, what’s coming next? Next up is “Cuttin Up’” at the Pasadena Playhouse on Sat Apr 7th at 8pm. We’re at the Southern California Renaissance Faire on Saturday, April 14. After that, the next currently ticketed show is “The Constant Wife” at The Pasadena Playhouse on 6/2 @ 8pm, followed by “Side Show” at UCLA Theatre Arts on 6/9 @ 8pm. After that it’s “Jersey Boys” at the Ahmanson Theatre on 7/15 @ 7:30pm and “Can-Can” at The Pasadena Playhouse on 7/28 at 8:00pm. But I expect to be augmenting this list with tickets for “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” through Broadway/LA (on sale 4/15); tickets to “Driving Miss Daisy” at REP East; possibly tickets for “Beehive at Valley Musical Theatre… plus whatever else looks interesting on Goldstar. I must also plug the performance of “The Wizard of Oz and Then Some” on 5/31, 6/1, and 6/3 at Nobel Middle School in Northridge, but more on that in a future post. Lastly, I plan on ordering season tickets for the Ahmanson, as discussed here.
