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Regional Reviews: Florida - West Coast Luck Be a Lady: The Iconic Music of Frank Loesser Also see Bill's review of The Ballets Russes
If I were the only one in the audience, all the director would have to do is line up several fine singers and dancers and program one Loesser tune after another and I would leave happy, but that is not how Gordon Greenberg feels material. In a conversation at the reception after opening night Mr. Greenberg explained how he likes to present selections of material in group as postcards or snapshots, like in the fine production he did several years ago of Jacques Brel Is Alive and Living in Paris. With Luck Be a Lady, he is attempting a story arc, with one older couple looking back on their younger selves (which might seem to owe a huge debt to Stephen Sondheim's Follies except it really doesn't). Set in the 1940s, we watch a young couple meet, flirt, couple briefly, and then he drifts off in search of the next skirt. Their older selves, wishing for each other, watch and sing about their present until they reunite. There is a third comedy couple to round things out. What we end up with is a generalized story arc that enables the creators to stand some of the most well known Frank Loesser songs on their heads. For example, the older woman sings "Wanting to be Wanted" to great effect, while others are tweaked just enough that they are not just imitations. I think this presentation is very effective, something for audiences to get involved while and still offering fine performance opportunities for a strong cast. Gordon Greenberg along with associates Choreographer Denis Jones, musical arranger and orchestrator Neil Douglas Reilly, and music director Sinai Tabak have created a fine musical framework, brilliantly balanced between the chosen songs and the story arc. Highlights include "My Time of Day" by the older man, later coupled with "Luck Be a Lady"; "I Don't Want to Walk Without You" by the woman; and "Standing on the Corner" and "Once in Love with Amy" by the men and then the younger man. There is only one moment where my attention wandered, when the young man sings "I Like Everybody," which is a brief charm song from The Most Happy Fella and is here stretched beyond its likability, followed by "Travelin' Light" which was cut from Guys and Dolls, possibly because it is not a particularly strong song. Impressively, Mr. Tabak plays piano, does percussive sound effects, and for a chorus of the afore mentioned "Amy," whistles. Mostly I remain in awe of his musical comedy soul; as a young man he completely understands exactly where this musical material is centered and when turning it on its head he never allows a song to become unfocused. I think he is a major reason for the success of this endeavor. The dancing in this production is on a level that is ready to be seen in New York immediately, possibly Off-Broadway because the size of the show might be little small for Broadway. Scenic design by Wilson Chin and Costumes by Andrea Lauer are also important pieces of the production. Lighting design by by Paul Miller, especially the cascade of colors used on the backdrop which contains a drawing of Loesser, cigarette famously dangling from his lips, is extraordinary. No matter how well conceived and technically executed, a production needs a brilliantly talented cast and Luck Be a Lady has that cast. Erik Altemus as Young Man is highly engaging; I can't decide if he is a better singer or dancer. He is also called upon to strum a ukulele prominently, and guitar. He is opposite Mary Michael Patterson, who has a beautiful legit soprano voice but also seems to know her way around a tap step or two. The comedy couple of James David Larson and Stephanie Umoh are secondary only in what they are called upon to do. Both are skilled with a comedy number ("Ooh! My Feet!" for her, "Standing on the Corner" for him, "Big D" for both) and dance in support of the young couple. Louise Pitre as Older Woman shows why she was chosen to head the cast of the Mamma, Mia! (Tony nomination). She makes every moment center stage count: "I Don't Want to Walk Without You" (music by Jule Styne) and "What Are You Doing New Years Eve?" are emotionally gripping. Her real life husband W. Joseph Matheson doesn't get as many opportunities as some of the others, but he sure does deliver when called upon, such as on the title song, "Luck Be a Lady." I for one would love for him to have another center-stage moment. Luck Be a Lady is the most fully realized end-of-summer specials Asolo Rep has offered in several years. Sarasota audiences should rush to see it. Asolo Repertory Theater presents Luck Be a Lady: The Iconic Music of Frank Loesser through May 24, 2015, at the Mertz Theater in the FSU Center. 5555 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, Florida. Box Office (941) 351-8000. For more information visit www.asolorep.org. Cast (in order of Appearance): Band (in alphabetical order):,br>Teri booth: Woodwinds 1 Conceived and Directed by Gordon Greenberg
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