Frank Mandel (who ever heard of them?) with Music by Vincent Youmans (him either?) this tale is a showcase of old fashioned musical song and dance. Headlined by Sandy Duncan, Beth Leval, Shonn Wiley, Michael Berresse, Charles Kimbrough, Mara Davi, and Rosie O'Donnell- this gem was near production quality! Books? Who used one? One might surmise these actors had the time of their life singing and dancing ...and dancing... and dancing... the night away!
Lord knows how old Sandy Duncan (Sue) is these days, but she kicked higher than I could at 18 years old, she looked better than I did at 23, and she tap danced better than people I know who do it for a living. The incomparable Beth Leval and Michael Berresse paired up as husband and wife. Beth (Lucille) tore down the house with The "Where-Has-My-Hubby-Gone-Blues" Blues and Michael (Billy) tore up the stage with his effortless leaps and dance steps in such numbers as Telephone Girlie and You Can Dance with Any Girl and Call of the Sea. Fred Astaire, eat your heart out - you've got tough competition in the uber-adorable and ever-graceful Shonn Wiley (Tom). Cleverly cast in a role choc full of comic relief, Rosie O'Donnell (Pauline) landed each entrance, one-liner, and exit with aplomb.
Encores! may represent the "Best Of" when it comes to talent, enthusiasm, and pure enjoyment of the craft. It's not a commercial Broadway run , yet you can see that each cast member truly enjoys every moment of the show. And speaking of "Best of" - an evening at Encores! would not be complete without the incomparable Rob Fisher and the Encores! Orchestra - always a class act located right on stage. And for No, No Nanette - not one, but two grand pianos! Beyond elegant. All those fingers tinkling all those ivories. A perfect match to all those toes and heals a-tappin' on stage. Bravo! Just when you think I'm done with all the complements, I have to mention the costumes - classy, dashy, and always dripping with class. All those flapper girls with the car wash dresses, dripping with sequins - and the dapper chorus boys all in preppy cardigan vests, then swimming suits (the real things) and a classy finish in black tie and tuxes. Never a hair out of place and always a smile on their faces.
I wish i could tell you all to run out and see it, but all that happiness is already faded and the curtain has fallen on the last performance tonight for the City Center Gala. You'll just have to wait until the next one comes along!
