Review: CHEEK TO CHEEK, THE SONGS OF FRED ASTAIRE Opens at Quality Hill Playhouse

Cheek to Cheek, the Songs of Fred Astaire opened the 2014-2015 season for the Quality Hill Playhouse in Kansas City, MO. The season pays homage to the magical music from the movies with their series Hooray for Hollywood.

Cheek to Cheek is a fantastic tribute to Fred Astaire whose entertainment career lasted 76 years and included 31 musical films. Over his illustrious career, he garnered numerous awards including several Emmy awards, Golden Globe awards, an honorary Academy Award presented by famed dance partner Ginger Rogers, and a 1981 Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Film Institute among others.

Born in Omaha, Nebraska his mother dreamed of leaving the state and envisioned the talent of her children Fred and Adele as the catapult that would launch the brother-and-sister act into stardom. Refusing dance lessons early in 1905 when the family moved to New York the two siblings enrolled in the Alviene Master School of the Theatre and Academy of Cultural Arts, where they learned dance, singing, and speaking.

In their first act, Juvenile Artists Presenting an Electric Musical Toe-Dancing Novelty, Fred dawned his trademark top hat and tails. Fred Astaire became an early pioneer of musical film and according to Hollywood legend Gene Kelly, "the history of dance on film begins with Astaire."

Cheek to Cheek stars J. Kent Barnhart, Stefanie Wienecke, Shelby Floyd, and Carey Mock. Ken Remmert accompanies them on drums, Barnhart on piano, and Brian Wilson on bass. Barnhart brings his keen sense of humor and knowledge to the stage as he delves into the life and career of Astaire.

Astaire introduced all but four of the songs performed on the playhouse stage to the world. The program opens with a rousing rendition of "Alexander's Ragtime Band" by Irving Berlin, performed by all. Later in the first act, Wienecke performs "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes" from the film Roberta, captivating the audience with the sensual, sexy vocal.

Floyd gives a marvelous performance, mesmerizing the audience as she sung, "I Concentrate on You" from Broadway Melody of 1940. Her duets with Barnhart and Mock were lovely, but when she teamed with Wienecke, they blended like milk and honey. Floyd said that even though she and Wienecke are good friends they seldom get an opportunity to sing together. Much to the delight of the audience, that opportunity presents itself in Cheek to Cheek.

Mock has a strong and powerful voice and his stature reminds the audience of Astaire. His performance of "Night and Day" from Gay Divorce is wonderful. At the end of the first act, my thought was the only thing missing was the dancing of Astaire. Quality Hill never fails to deliver, as Mock entered the stage for act two in top hat and tails. Mock and the women sing and dance to "Cheek to Cheek" from Top Hat, providing the missing link.

The production is an uplifting tribute to an entertainment icon that should not be missed. Cheek to Cheek, the Songs of Fred Astaire continues at the Quality Hill Playhouse through October 26. Purchase tickets by calling the box office at 816-421-1700 or visit the Quality Hill Playhouse website. Photos by Larry Levenson, courtesy of Quality Hill Playhouse.

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