by dick kerekes dickkerekes@yahoo.com
A Grand Night for Singing, now playing at Players by the Sea in Jacksonville Beach, is a tribute to the songs of Richard Rogers and Oscar Hammerstein II. It was the first revue ever done of their songs and it debuted in l993, garnering two Tony nominations for best musical and best book.
If you are a fan of musical theatre, this is an absolute must-see show. In about 90 minutes you will hear 31 songs from the greatest musicals ever presented.
The music selected is not just from the most famous and popular shows. You will hear four or five songs from Oklahoma, South Pacific, Carousel and The King and I, which will have you silently singing along. There are four songs from Allegro, four from Cinderella, two from Flower Drum Song, and some from Me and Juliet and Pipe Dream.
There is only one song from their last musical The Sound of Music and that is a very interesting rendition of ‘Maria’ by Josh Waller.
What makes this show particularly interesting is the unique and clever arrangement and orchestration of songs well known to all of us.
‘I’m Gonna Wash that Man Right Outa My Hair’ is done by the three ladies in the play. Amy Allen Farmer, Miranda Lawson and Kristin Jewell, not only getting rid of the men in their lives, but doing so in style with some nifty choreography from Director Lee Hamby.
Blake Osner, who recently appeared in Secrets Every Traveler Should Know at Limelight Theatre, has never sounded better doing solos than when he sings ‘Oh, What A beautiful Mornin,’ ‘This Nearly was Mine’ and ‘We Kiss in a Shadow.’
This may be your last opportunity to enjoy the talent of Miranda Lawson as she is planning to move to New York at the end of the year. If you have never seen her perform, you have obviously been living in a cave, because she has graced the stages of Theatre Jacksonville, Jacksonville University, Players and the Alhambra Dinner Theatre in many fine performances. You will love her when she sings ‘I Can’t Say No’ in this show.
Kristin Jewell teaches music and is a perfect example for her students. Very much in demand for local musicals, you saw her in The Pirates of Penzance at Players by the Sea and in Theatre Jacksonville’s Pajama Game. Kristin is at her best when she sings ‘If I loved You’ from Carousel. I felt wonderful as she sang ‘A Wonderful Guy’ from South Pacific.
Jacksonville musical theatre lovers got a big break when Amy Allen Farmer decided to move to this city to be near her family. Since arriving, she has thrilled audiences at every theatre in Jacksonville with her New England Conservatory of Music-trained voice. Amy showed she can do it all, with a fine dramatic role as the sister in the George Ballis directed All the Way Home at Players. She is something wonderful when she sings ‘Something Wonderful’ from King and I.
Josh Waller is an incredible musical talent. Besides singing, dancing and acting. did you know he is a classical pianist and a former bassoonist? (Lets see if you can work that instrument into the New Years Eve show at Players.) Waller is the master of romantic ballads and he gets a chance to sing a few in this show.
I was going to write that Lee Hamby has found his calling in directing musical revues (and creating them, like last New Year’s Pelican Club at Players), but Hamby does so many things well. He sings beautifully, choreographs, acts and even creates beautiful costumes. He is currently doing the costumes for The Rocky Horror Show opening in 3 weeks at the Five Points Theater. He is also directing and appearing in Bat Boy the Musical, in July at Players.
This revue is done in a nightclub atmosphere designed by Mr. Hamby and Ann Roberts, with evocative lighting design by Joe Schwarz. Ellen Milligan is the musical director and is featured on the piano leading an excellent 5-piece band.
Some of the best singers in Jacksonville, present some of the best music ever written. You could not ask for anything more.
Call 249-90289 for information and reservations.
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