The Classic American Songbook Series
A Jerome Robbins Centennial Celebration
Feinstein’s/54 Below, NYC, May 8, 2018
Reviewed by Elizabeth Ahlfors for Cabaret Scenes
He was often controversial, but most agree that Jerome Robbins holds a top spot in the world of ballet and theater. After a career in dance he became director/choreographer of American Ballet Theatre, the New York City Ballet, as well as in musical theater where he put his indelible stamp on some of the most the dazzling shows during the Golden Age of musicals. West Side Story, Gypsy, and Fiddler on the Roof are just a few of the musicals influenced by him.
As part of Deborah Grace Winer’s The Classic American Songbook series at Feinstein’s/54 Below, host Kathleen Marshall briefly chatted about Robbins in A Jerome Robbins Centennial Concert, showing the versatility of his rhythms and moods. With music director David Chase at the piano, four Broadway singers delivered a banquet of show tunes with the Robbins touch, but with one thing missing—no dancing. Still, while there was no actual dancing on the small stage, the audience was treated to a vibrant performance of rich voices and plenty of energy.
A medley opened with Matt Doyle (Spring Awakening) delivering Hugh Martin’s “Gotta Dance” (Look Ma, I’m Dancin’). Laura Osnes (Cinderella) followed with “Something to Dance About” from Irving Berlin’s Call Me Madam. Beth Malone (Fun Home) joined Aaron C. Finley (Kinky Boots) for a lively “Papa, Won’t You Dance with Me” (Jule Styne and Sammy Cahn, from High Button Shoes). And all four delivered an energetic “Shall We Dance?” from The King and I by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II.
The show moved smoothly with Marshall guiding song after song. Osnes never disappoints, looking regal and singing with a crystalline soprano, precise understanding, and understanding heart. “Neverland” by Styne/Betty Comden and Adolph Green (Peter Pan) was stunning and, by the same writers, she delivered the sly humor from Bells Are Ringing, “It’s a Perfect Relationship.”
Doyle joined Osnes in a lighthearted “Let’s Take an Old-Fashioned Walk” by Berlin for Miss Liberty and, with rich emotion, he sang “Maria” by Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim from West Side Story.
From The Pajama Game by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross, Finley presented the disheartening lyrics of “A New Town Is a Blue Town” (“a …’show me what you can do’ town”). From Bells Are Ringing, he delivered the romantic “Long Before I Knew You.”
On the Town (Bernstein/ Comden & Green),is the only musical based on a ballet (Robbins’ 1944 Fancy Free with Bernstein’s music). Malone, the firecracker of the quartet, grabbed onto the jazz influences in a jivey “I Can Cook Too,” where Bernstein also added lyrics. On “Some People” (Styne and Sondheim for Gypsy), she delivered the robust belt needed, and she joined Finley for a counterpoint dazzle in “You’re Just in Love” from Berlin’s Call Me Madam. Proving she could also touch the heart was Malone’s “Hello, Young Lovers” from The King and I.
The cast moved the show to a smooth closing with “Some Other Time” (On the Town). David Chase helped fill the room with thrilling music.
We can look forward to one more Winer jewel box evening this season with the June revue, Till There Was You: A Celebration of Barbara Cook.
