New Jersey Symphony Orchestra

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New Jersey Symphony Orchestra

Bond & Beyond with the NJSO
Debbie Gravitte, Guest Artist

State Theatre, New Brunswick, NJ, June 5, 2016

Reviewed by Joel Benjamin for Cabaret Scenes

NJSO-Cabaret-Scenes-Magazine_212The New Jersey Symphony Orchestra was in its pops mode at the State Theatre in New Brunswick where the repertoire was almost exclusively songs, background scores and related music from the twenty-four James Bond films (plus some bonus tidbits). Michael Krajewski conducted the large ensemble and supplied some lighthearted commentary along the way, joking that he had prepared for this event by sitting through a one-day marathon of all the Bond movies. Snippets of the films were shown behind the orchestra.

Debbie Gravitte (pictured) was the guest vocalist, the perfect choice to sing the James Bond theme songs. She has the big belt of Dame Shirley Bassey and the expressive sadness of Adele, yet managed to put her own stamp on all the songs, all the while gracing the stage in an array of fancy gowns.

After an opening gambit of the pounding “James Bond Theme” (Monty Norman), the lush “Theme from From Russia with Love” segued into Gravitte’s powerhouse rendition of “Diamond Are Forever” (John Barry/Don Black) and a smooth, sensual “Nobody Does It Better” (Marvin Hamlisch/Carole Bayer Sager).

She also out-sang Madonna on “Sooner or Later” (Stephen Sondheim) from Dick Tracy, and boogied on down in a tight mini and huge blonde wig for “Secret Agent Man” (P.F. Sloan & Steve Barri). Both are non-Bond numbers, which also included a tribute to The Pink Panther’s “Inspector Clouseau Theme” and that movie’s theme (Henry Mancini) and, as an encore, the famous, tightly wound theme from the TV show Mission: Impossible (Lalo Schifrin).

Hearing these pop themes played by a large ensemble of expert musicians under the guidance of a conductor who understood and had fun with the music, was a treat. Add in the warm interpretations of Debbie Gravitte and it’s clear why the orchestra got a standing ovation.

Joel Benjamin

A native New Yorker, Joel was always fascinated by musical theater. Luckily, he was able to be a part of seven Broadway musicals before the age of 14, quitting to pursue a pre-med degree, which led no where except back to performing in the guise of directing a touring ballet troupe. Always interested in writing, he wrote a short play in high school that was actually performed, leading to a hiatus of nearly 40 years before he returned to writing as a reviewer. Writing for Cabaret Scenes has kept him in touch with world filled with brilliance.