Tuesday, April 11, 2000
CCM Broadway babies outshine Pops
By Janelle Gelfand
The Cincinnati Enquirer
They are the stars of tomorrow.
Just as Kathryn Manning sang in Stephen Sondheim's “Broadway Baby” Sunday night with the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, these hopefuls dream of being in a show, of seeing their name on a Broadway marquis.
Many of them probably will. In a Pops first, members of the Musical Theater Department from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music were the star attraction in “A Century of Broadway.”
In this overdue debut, the Pops found out what most of Cincinnati already knew: These kids are talented, polished and have energy to spare. (And this was the second string. The seniors are in New York auditioning for jobs and agents.)
If only the Pops Orchestra had matched their exuberance. Under associate conductor John Morris Russell, the orchestra needed some punch. Entrances were sloppy and the orchestra often sounded sluggish as it backed the upbeat singers and dancers. Amplification, too, was inconsistent, resulting in unintelligible words or poor balance.
Otherwise, the show was enjoyable entertainment, as it visited Broadway from its early years to the present. Mr. Russell, an amiable host, introduced the numbers, which were engagingly staged by CCM assistant professor Roger Grodsky and brilliantly choreographed by associate professor Diane Lala.
Cole Porter's “Another Openin', Another Show” was a vibrant opening to “The Early Years” — which also featured music by George Gershwin, Jerome Kern and Irving Berlin. The choreography was snappy, and the group, in colorful tops and black pants, created a kaleidoscope of moving color.
The depth of talent was evident from the number of soloists who took center stage. Angela Gaylor and Greg Lofts shone in a charming duet, “Make Believe,” from Showboat. The hit of the first section was a song-and-dance routine by Kurt Domoney in “Puttin' on the Ritz,” joined by a bevy of high-kicking ladies in black.
“Tonight (Quintet)” from West Side Story starred a classy quartet (Julie Tolivar, Daniel Cochran, Tony Yazbeck and Nikki Renee Daniels). Singer Gabbi Stravelli cooked a la Bette Midler in “I Can Cook Too” from On the Town, her repertoire ranging from a seductive growl to high belting.
In the second half, dance ensembles performed an ingenious counterpoint of moves in “Rhythm of Life.”
And, a star was born when Mr. Yazbeck delivered a knock-out performance of “Impossible Dream,” stepping in for an ill Erik Nelson. Tara Taylor, Angela Brinton and Amanda May were almost too cute in Sondheim's witty “You Could Drive a Person Crazy” (Company).
The revue ended with big production numbers from Lion King, Rent and Ragtime (the last, fittingly by 1982 CCM grad Stephen Flaherty).
“He Lives in You” (Lion King) was arresting for its mesmerizing choreography, as much as for the focused, pure voice of Jasmin Walker.
An encore, “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” from Lion King, followed a standing ovation from the audience of 2,835.
@tag:The Pops repeats at 8 p.m. Sunday. Tickets: 381-3300.
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