Review: 'Jerome Kern: All the Things You Are'

The timeless melodies of Jerome Kern (1885-1945) are the core of Theatre Sheridan's original revue, All The Things You Are.

The trouble with Kern is that most of his shows are no longer part of the active repertoire. The immortal Show Boat is still frequently staged, but what about Roberta? Music in the Air? The Cat and the Fiddle?  Sadly, these shows pre-dated the era of original cast recordings and authentic film adaptations but those glorious songs are as fresh and original as when they were first heard.

Marc Richard and Christopher Mounteer have created a show that surveys the composer's prolific output, weaving in some brief biographical background. It sounds like it will be pleasant overview of the work of a composer who left us more than 60 years ago, but nothing can quite prepare you for the rich emotional journey this show takes you on.

Part of that comes from the melodies themselves, so simple yet so rich. Somehow, the students at Sheridan have caught the fever and communicate a genuine affection for this material. When Erika Santillana, acting as our key narrator, tells of Kern's untimely death at the age of 60 the sense of loss is palpable.

Before we reach that emotional peak we get to hear thirty of the songwriter's greatest hits including "The Way You Look Tonight", "The Last Time I Saw Paris" and, concluding the first half, a sequence of five songs from the score of Show Boat. It is in this segment that Allison Edwards dazzles with a powerful and passionate rendition of "Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man" and Andrew Broderick leads a sensitively understated "Ol' Man River."

The second half begins with a rather curious staging of "The Song is You" danced by the full company using an improvisational technique called Viewpoints which didn't add anything of import to the song. Later Jennifer Smardenkas sang a smoky version of "Yesterdays" while Joey De Carle, Johnny Simeonakas and Andrew Broderick danced a homoerotic pas de trio. A great routine, but married to the wrong number.  It in no way impairs this entertaining and informative look at one of America's pre-eminent songwriters.

Jerome Kern: All The Things You Are continues at Theatre Sheridan, 1430 Trafalgar Road until April 19. Performances are Tuesday through Saturdays at 7:30 pm, with a 2:30 pm performance on Saturday. For tickets call the box-office at (905) 815-4049.

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