THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, February 22, 1995 TAG: 9502210095
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 13 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY MARK DUROSE, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Medium: 81 lines
For this month of valentines, the Little Theater of Virginia Beach has decided to show it has heart. In this case, though, it's Hart, as in Rodgers and Hart, and a musical revue of their 22 years of collaboration on mostly romantic show tunes.
For those of you who thought Richard Rodgers was faithful sidekick to Oscar Hammerstein only, this show could prove to be an interesting learning experience. Before there was Hammerstein there was Hart. And from 1918 to 1940, Lorenzo Hart and Rodgers united to pen 550 songs for 31 Broadway shows and 10 movies. They were a seemingly inseparable team until 1943, when alcoholism and depression combined to persuade Hart to back out of the partnership. The first project Rodgers tackled without Hart and with Hammerstein was ``Oklahoma!'' and the rest, as they say, is history.
All this and more can be learned from the informative narratives offered throughout the musical revue. And whether or not you're familiar with the name of Lorenzo Hart, or even show tunes, for that matter, classics such as ``Isn't it Romantic?'' ``Blue Moon,'' ``The Lady Is a Tramp'' and ``My Funny Valentine'' are likely to bring an ``aha!'' from any audience member.
A cast of five singers and two musicians energetically and enthusiastically act as guides for this two hour tour through the song books of these two famous writers. Directed with appropriate lightheartedness and humor by little theater veteran Karen Buchheim and cast member Mark Hudgins, the show sparkles with personality and wit, and the time passes surprisingly quickly. Buchheim, who recently won the first Port Folio award for outstanding choreography, continues to show a solid talent for the job here, with sharp, consistent stage direction that more than once rises above the standards of average little theater productions.
Not that the show is without its problems. Marc Dyer, though certainly bringing a debonair quality to the show, seemed strangely out of place amid the primarily upbeat selection of music, as much slapstick as songfest. And the voice of LTVB newcomer Jacqueline Evans, strong and clear as it was, didn't quite blend with the character of the music she was performing. In this instance, it appeared that Evans' classical training was more of a hindrance than a help, though her delivery on ``It's A Lovely Day For a Murder'' did succeed in a sassiness and style necessary to the selection.
Marilyn Abernathy, on the other hand, was unassuming but efficient. She scored the first big hit with the audience with her solo rendition of ``To Keep My Love Alive,'' a tribute to a woman who marries often only to murder her husbands when she's tired of them.
Mark Hudgins, whose boyish enthusiasm and fine baritone tremolo were engaging and satisfying, was understandably quite at home on the stage where he has been performing since he was 14. More prominent than his lone male companion, Dyer, he was always charming and helped to keep the show moving at a brisk and easy pace.
The star of the show, however, other than the music being celebrated, was undisputedly Mary Ann Rayment. She began to win over the audience early in the show with a duet, ``Everything I Got,'' in which she displayed such a mischievous spark it was impossible not to be engaged. Her more soulful voice and precise execution of stage directions made her a delight from beginning to end. The audience always seemed to be relieved when she resumed the stage, as if she were their best friend performing out there. The ovations in the first and second act were both offered up for her for ``Johnny One Note'' and ``Ten Cents a Dance.''
If you don't like show tunes or musical revues, this show is probably not incredible enough to change your mind. But if you do, this production is well worth your time and effort. Amidst the backdrop of an excessively dreary Tidewater February, this show offers itself up as an oasis of the imagination and spirit, a welcome respite from the cold and gray outside.
There is a warning, though. There is a long series of seriously sad love ballads in the second act that could be somewhat disturbing for the recently separated or divorced. With that in mind, bring a date, leave the winter blahs behind and nod in agreement when they get around to ``Isn't it Romantic?'' ILLUSTRATION: WHEN & WHERE
What: Rogers and Hart musical revue.
Where: Little Theater of Virginia Beach.
When: 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 3 p.m. Sunday.
Tickets: Call 428-9233.
by CNB