‘With A_Song In My Heart:’ Good, Easy Entertainment At STW

By June April

STAMFORD — With only five more performances to go (of just ten scheduled in a short run), Stamford TheatreWorks’ current production, With A Song in my Heart, is a gem of a presentation that is worth both the time and the price of the ticket.

The revue is the first in the intimate theatre’s new concert series that celebrates the music of American composers. The lovely, memorable and witty music of Richard Rogers and Lorenz Hart is never out of date, even if it is somewhat dated.

Like the music of Gilbert and Sullivan, the catchy tunes and often rhyming/meaningful lyrics stay with audiences and are often heard being hummed by audience members even as they depart the theatre.

The six singers — three “couples” — join together and do solos in various combinations. As a company they opened with “You Took Advantage of Me,” which allowed a lot of interplay, mugging (of the facial sort) and interesting dance movements.

The choreography by Carol Schweid is one of the strongest assets of the show. Her experience with the incomparable Bob Fosse is evidenced in little mannerisms, and she has that special knack of taking something small and making it seem larger.

There is an extremely effective flow between the musical numbers and the punctuation of the movements adds to the pleasure of the production.

Of the three women, Jan Neuberger of Newtown stands out as an actor with the body and facial language that oft recalls Jamie Lee Curtis. She is funny and has a great sense of timing in addition to a very nice voice. 

Every now and again one sees a performer and senses that this one has Broadway potential. Kristin Maloney sparkles, has the body of a dancer and a voice that could do beautifully as Belle in Beauty and The Beast, or other such musicals.

Ms Maloney is petite and energetic, and she has excellent control of her body. Though she blends in with the company, there is that special something that calls one’s attention to her talents.

Though her voice had an interesting range and texture, somehow Bryetta Calloway was not as strong as the other performers.

It would seem that in other roles, such as Black and Blue or Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom (previous STW productions Ms Calloway has appeared in), her voice and personality might be better suited.  It could also have been an off night, as can happen in theatre. With only one night to review, one can only assume.

The three males — Erick Pinnick, A.J. Irvin and Phillip Chaffin — all had very fine voices and had admirably learned their dance routines, although they were clearly more vocalists than hoofers.

Mr Chaffin just released his first solo CD, which features arrangements of songs from the Big Band era. His voice is particularly suited to such music.

The costumes were the only aspect of the show this critic found wanting. It seemed more like rehearsal garb than what might have been creatively designed. The lighting and simple set were all effective.

Outstanding accompaniment by David Bishop at the piano, Carol Rengifo on the bass and Paul Hannah on drums was the key to this show, along with the great music. 

Many of the 20 plus songs performed are part of the average person’s musical heritage. Among them, “My Funny Valentine,” “The Lady is A Tramp,” “Bewitched” and “Isn’t it Romantic” are the stuff of romance even today.

A few of the songs, including “Don’t Love Me Like Othello” were new to some and had the audience chuckling at the lyrics.

With A Song in My Heart: The Music of Rodgers and Hart is theatre of easy entertainment. It will put a smile on your lips, and leave a song in your mind.

(The remaining evening shows are on Friday and Saturday, June 22 and 23, at 8 pm. There are matinees on Saturday at 4 pm, and Sunday, June 24, at 2 pm.

Tickets are $20 to $24 apiece, with senior citizen, subscriber and group discounts available.

For further information call 203-359-4414.

The theatre is at 200 Strawberry Hill Avenue, on the corner of Fifth Street [on the campus of Sacred Heart Academy].)