BWW Reviews: Standing Room Only Production's FEELING ALRIGHT is Rollicking, Uplifting, and Feel Good Fun

As I stare down the barrel of my own 10-year anniversary from graduating high school, I found more than one of the characters in Standing Room Only Production's presentation of local award-winning playwright Michael Weem's FEELING ALRIGHT! honestly relevant and applicable to me and my life. And I'm certain I was not alone. Whether you're just out of high school or 50 years out of high school, the individual pressures and dilemmas of self-discovery of at least one of the characters will ring with the distinct air of truth for you.

The fun, toe-tapping musical is set in 1975 and features the hit songs of the characters' youth, like "Mustang Sally," "Son of a Preacher Man," "Piece of My Heart," "Happy Together," "Dancing in the Street," "Chain of Fools," and "Feeling Alright." Rachel Landon, Wayne Landon, and Mary Minter originally conceived the show, and Michael Weems' entertaining and heartwarming book for the musical introduces audiences to six friends from Houston's Memorial High School at their 10-year high school reunion. Michael Weems has a great ear and talent for crafting believable and interesting dialogue. He is also wonderfully adept at creating a romantic comedy plot that feels original and freed from the clichés of the genre. Reflecting on the book, my only wish is that it hadn't resolved the main conflict by the end of the first act so that the audience would have more of this great and dynamic writing to enjoy.

Direction by Vance Johnson is energetic and captivating. Each character is ebulliently lively and magnetizing, which draws the audience into the story with ease. The audience gets lost in the relatable characters, audience participation, and joy of the production, making us wish the show was longer. The audience I saw the production with was so into the show that they clamored for an encore after the curtain call.

Wayne Landon's Music Direction is pristine and impressive. The cast soars on solos and blends perfectly on harmonies. The astounding vocal abilities of the cast truly make the show compelling and invigorating.

Yissel Carrol's Choreography captures the groovy Hippie feel of the era and flawlessly compliments the music.

Heather Hall sublimely steals the show as Jess with her powerhouse belt on "Piece of My Heart" and "Chain of Fools." The audience instantly roots for her as she confronts the strains of her off and on again romance turned unrequited love. Heather Hall brings sumptuous life to her embittered, strong, and mesmerizing character.

Cocky and confident Johnny, who is still reeling from losing his scholarship and failing out of college, is immaculately played and sung by Jeff Tayor. His skilled and extraordinary rock vocals blow the audience away on "The Letter," "Honky Tonk Woman," and "In the Midnight Hour."

Matt, the guy who made his life out-of-town yet still feels incomplete, is magnificently portrayed by Mark Samson. His smooth, pop-rock vocals bring fresh and beguiling life to "Pretty Woman," "Working My Way Back to You," "Wild Night," and "Get Back."

Making her Houston debut, Sarah Molbert proves herself to be a talent worth taking note of. Her spacey Stacy is fantastically hilarious. Her voice shines on "Son of a Preacher Man" and "Different Drum."

Allison Phillips is a ball of fun as Peggy, the one who never left town and became a music teacher at one of the local schools. Her gorgeous voice sounds divine on "Locomotion," "Dancing in the Street," and "She Came in Through the Bathroom Window."

J.D. Rose's Greg was drafted to Vietnam and is dealing with life after the war, keeping a mostly positive outlook. His renditions of "Sittin' On the Dock of the Bay" and "Momma Told Me Not to Come" were enthralling and stirring.

The FEELING ALRIGHT! band, comprised of Jeff Blankenship on the guitar, Wayne Landon on the piano, Ryan Mohrman on the bass, and Sean Ramos on the drums. This group masterfully plays the score and accompanies the cast with precision. They dress in costume for the production as well and get into their individual characters.

Sound Design by David Anderson complexly mixes wireless hand mics and wireless body mics together to emphasize solos and amplify harmonies. This complicated design requires Chloe DeHoyas to expertly stay on her toes during the show. With the technician's hard work, David Anderson's design fits into Obsidian Art Space's intimate space and guarantees that the audience hears the live music in an immaculate and thoroughly thought out mix.

Vance Johnson's Lighting Design is bright and concert-like, emphasizing the energy and feel good aspects of the production.

Deborah Blake, Pam Norris, and Vicky Guillory have collected and assembled fabulous costumes, capturing the funky and fun vibes of 1970s clothing and hairstyles. Peace symbols, sandals, and other accoutrements of Hippie couture are on fantastic display throughout the entirety of the production.

FEELING ALRIGHT! is the perfect spring show to lift you up and leave you feeling alive and reenergized. The electrifying, spirited show gets audiences clapping, tapping their toes, and dancing in their seats with its opening number. The sparklingly vivacious performances hold the audience up for the entire production and send them out the door feeling refreshed and effervescent, with huge smiles on their faces. Lastly, I certainly hope this show finds its way to Off-Broadway. I'm sure it'd be a smash hit there!

Standing Room Only Production's presentation of the rocking, feel good FEELING ALRIGHT! runs at Obsidian Art Space at 3255 White Oak Drive, Houston through May 11, 2013. For more information or tickets, please visit http://www.sro-productions.com or call (713) 300 - 2358.

Photos by Christine Weems.

L to R: mark Samson (Matt), J.D. Rose (Greg), Jeff Taylor (Johnny), Heather Hall (Jess), Allison Phillips (Peggy) & Sarah Molbert (Stacy).

Heather Hall (Jess).

Jeff Taylor (Johnny).

Sarah Molbert (Stacy) and Mark Samson (Matt).

Sarah Molbert (Stacy).

Allison Phillips (Peggy).

J.D. Rose (Greg).

Heather Hall (Jess).

Jeff Taylor (Johnny).

Sarah Molbert (Stacy).

L to R: Sarah Molbert (Stacy), Allison Phillips (Peggy) & Mark Samson (Matt).

L to R: Heather Hall (Jess), Sarah Molbert (Stacy), Jeff Taylor (Johnny) & Mark Samson (Matt).

L to R: J.D. Rose (Greg) and Mark Samson (Matt).

J.D. Rose (Greg).

L to R: Heather Hall (Jess), Allison Phillips (Peggy) & Sarah Molbert (Stacy).

J.D. Rose (Greg).

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