Did you ever wonder what a theatrical smorgasbord might look and sound like? For the next three Sunday evenings, Bailiwick will be presenting an hour-long sampling from "Pippin," "Summer of '42," "Floyd Collins," "Barnum," "Hair," "Brooklyn, the Musical," "Songs from an Unmade Bed," "Closer Than Ever" and "Sunday in the Park with George." From this menu of musical samplings two or three shows will be chosen to return later this year as full productions. The clever concept is that audiences actually get to vote for the musicals they would most like to be part of Bailiwick's season.
This entertaining musical buffet begins with promising new director, Kate Garassino. She brings a youthful energy to her staging, not an easy task given the tiny performance space. Her work is complemented by Christopher Pazdernik's inventive choreography and driven (although sometimes overpowered) by Robert Ollis' three-piece musical ensemble. Ms. Garassino's eight talented young performers, several new to Chicago, perform the dickens out of each song. And while every actor gets to shine in at least one solo, they also support each another with back up vocals.
Versatile Emily Macomber can be big and brassy in "Kind of a Woman," and still manage to touch the soul with "Someone to Dance with Me." Jill Sasso belts out "Once Upon a Time" with "American Idol" bravado, while Abby Sammons makes a delightfully bawdy "Miss Byrd" and lovely Brittany Townsley is moving in her beautiful "Frank Mills."
Tenor Mark LeBeau electrifies with his rendition of "Corner of the Sky" and Mathew Miles impressively masters every tongue-twisting syllable of "There's a Sucker Born Ev'ry Minute." Young Jeremy Myers delivers a sincerely funny "Exit Right" and the always impressive Eric Martin thrills with "I Got Life" and "Perfect Finite." The entire company lends its talents to a beautiful "Sunday" and conclude the evening with a rousing selection from Elton John's "Aida," already chosen to be part of the season.
This musical melange of songs, comedy and choreography offers audiences a tuneful tapas bar of theatrical selections, from which they may help the company determine their upcoming season. And, in true Chicago tradition, patrons may not only vote early (it's a 7:30 curtain), but they may also vote often for the musical of their choice.
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Reviewed by Centerstage!
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