Review: SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE Uplifts a Weary City at Players By The Sea

It's been a long couple of weeks for the Jacksonville community. Hurried preparations for a catastrophic hurricane followed by mandatory evacuations, widespread loss of power, and picking up the pieces of our lives as we mourn the destruction of some of our most beloved landmarks has left us weary and heavy hearted. Players By The Sea, one of Jacksonville's long-standing, reputable community theatres, is answering the sorrow with a fantastically uplifting production of Leiber and Stoller's SMOKEY JOE'S CAFÉ. I laughed more than I have in weeks, escaping the reality of my own personal tragedies, and judging by the uncontrollable laughter, clapping, and singing along that surrounded me in the audience, one thing is clear: this revue is exactly what you need right now, Jacksonville.

Featuring 39 classic pop standards, this 1996 Grammy winning show requires little of its audience. As a revue, it follows no plot, no heavy-hearted investment in characters, no falling action. Instead, your nostalgia will flare as these favorite songs from yesterday come to life under bright lights, colorful costumes, and a well-rounded cast of stunning Jacksonville players.

Director Jereme' Rickett and Music Director Anthony Felton have led this cast with passion and innovation, never over-telling these story-rich songs, but allowing the music to guide their direction and staging. The cast is committed; I believed each of them, and their strongest moments by far were spent on stage with eachother, communicating through these timeless lyrical classics.

While the entire cast is engaging and endearing, there were a few several standout moments that deserve attention. Milton Threadcraft III, music teacher at Abess Park Elementary, has one of the clearest upper registers I've had the privilege of hearing live. He's a gem, and his intonation is practically perfect for this production. Andrea Adams, making her Jacksonville theatre debut in this show, is a spitfire. Her powerhouse voice is a gift to our community: you must hear her live. Clayton Riddley, music teacher at Kipp Voice Elementary, has consistent charisma and fantastic movement. Matching Clayton in charisma and swagger is Linzy Lauren, whose lively eyes and bright tone accented every number beautifully. Theo Canty, a student of Douglas Anderson, Stetson, and Berklee College of Music, will undoubtedly win you over in the first act with his commitment to the character he portrays, and then will proceed to rip your heart out and smash it into a million pieces on the floor in the second act with his interpretation of I (Who Have Nothing).

This family-friendly, audience-interactive breath of fresh air is running through October 1. Tickets are available here.

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