The World Goes 'Round: The Music of Kander and Ebb

The World Goes 'Round
Music by John Kander, Lyrics by Fred Ebb
Conceived by Scott Ellis, Susan Stroman, David Thompson

Director, Choreographer, Costume Designer, Branch Woodman; Musical Director, Fred Frabotta; Set Designer, Jenna McFarland Lord; Lighting Designer, Jeff Adelberg; Production Manager & Sound Designer, Ed Thurber; Prop Master, Nathan Colby; Stage Manager, Steven Espach

CAST: Amy Barker, Andrew Giordano, Rebekah Jacobs, A'lisa D. Miles, Jon Peterson
Performances through October 14 at Foothills Theatre Company Box Office 508-754-4018 or www.foothillstheatre.com

A single spotlight, a solo clarinet, and a silky, sultry voice intoning the title song start the ball rolling and the earth moving for the Foothills Theatre season opener The World Goes 'Round: The Music of Kander and Ebb. Featuring over 30 musical numbers by the prolific pair, there's something for everyone to enjoy in this revue.

Key to the success or failure of this genre is the vocal talent and this cast hits every note in all registers. Whether featured alone or blending with close harmony as an ensemble, these five young men and women show a flair for the variety inherent in the Kander and Ebb songbook. They kid, they cry, sing jazz and ballads and torch songs, plunk at banjos and heartstrings, and even take a spin on roller skates.

Andrew Giordano is the matinee idol in the quintet. His rich, deep tenor infuses "I Don't Remember You" with a bittersweet butterscotch tang. In an arc with "My Coloring Book" and "Sometimes A Day Goes By," the three songs combine to pack a strong emotional punch. Giordano anchors another trio in the second act, but seems to have the most fun when he plays a gigolo in "Arthur in the Afternoon" and whirls rings around his cast mates in "The Rink."

Jon Peterson is back on these boards after two star turns last season and he taps up a storm with Rebekah Jacobs. They both shine in the dance department and tell a story in mini-musical form with "Marry Me," "A Quiet Thing," and "Shoes." The pair also stands out in "All That Jazz" mimicking the Fosse style, but the choreography seems more of a stretch for the other three.

On the distaff side, each of the women has at least one knockout song. A'lisa D. Miles gives a nice interpretation of the title tune and gets the chance to deliver the show-stopper "Maybe This Time" from Cabaret. She does her best to build the drama in it, but is not well served by the accompaniment. The band lacks the necessary energy and power and seems to hold her back.

For my money, Amy Barker is the crème de las comediennes of the troupe and, while also blessed with a strong soprano, flaunts her wry humor in "Colored Lights" and her broader comedic skills in "Class," "Ring Them Bells," and "The Grass is Always Greener." Kudos to her for keeping her wit and her cool when dealing with an uncooperative banjo strap.

"Arthur in the Afternoon" gives Jacobs the chance to play a role, as well as sing and dance. She is absolutely adorable as the wife and mother who spices her life with the previously mentioned gigolo (Giordano), transforming herself into a bit of a wild woman, but later capable of sweet sadness in "A Quiet Thing."

In an example of less is more, the set consists of a painted backdrop of internationally stylized buildings and a large rendering of the globe and several wooden chests that the cast moves around to serve as platforms and benches. Director Branch Woodman uses the staging and props to good effect in several numbers. He adds cardboard coffee cups, a shopping basket full of Sara Lee products, baby carriages, bells, and assorted hats to provide a concept where little exists. The challenge with producing a musical revue is keeping it interesting song after song with no book.

Woodman is less successful with the costume design, which is colorful but uninspiring. Lighting is adequate, but the sound is uneven. The actors wear head mics, but one overpowers another when they sing in unison if they're standing close together. While the balance between voice and instruments is okay most of the time, the five-piece band could be a lot tighter and I expect the cohesiveness of that unit to improve under the direction of Conductor Fred Frabotta.

The World Goes 'Round opened Off-Broadway in 1991 and offers a wonderful opportunity to hear music from about a dozen shows written by John Kander and Fred Ebb. Most people will know the selections from Cabaret, Chicago, and New York, New York, but this is also a showcase for some great tunes from their less familiar collaborations. They are currently represented on Broadway by Curtains, starring Tony Award winner David Hyde Pierce (Niles Crane on "Frasier"). Ebb died of a heart attack in 2004, marking the end of an era. We won't soon see (or hear) the likes of them again.

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