Review: THE CLIFTON'S CANTEEN - An Entertaining, Interactive USO Evening Making Full Use of Clifton's Unique Space

THE CLIFTON'S CANTEEN/produced by Creating Arts Studios/written & directed by Shannon Sukovaty/musical direction by Nick Rosen/choreographed by Lee Marshall/Clifton's Cafeteria/May 29, 2016

In their inaugural collaboration with Clifton's Cafeteria, Creating Arts Studios (CAC) has produced THE CLIFTON'S CANTEEN, a fitting and entertaining tribute to and for our servicemen and servicewomen during Memorial Weekend. Patterned after a USO show, each member of the CAC troupe played a famous celebrity of the 1940s (save for the vocally gifted Lee Marshall and Jason Cichon as Army Guy Lee and Army Guy Jason, respectively, in "It Had To Be You" and "As Time Goes By").

This three-hour treasure chest of singing talents spanned two different stages in two different areas of the revamped Clifton's. Director Shannon Sukovaty (as Betty Grable) emceed the staircase lobby show while Nathan Ondracek (as Bing Crosby) hosted the show on the Main Tree stage.

A real crowd-pleaser, Cassandra White, Lauren Byrd and Katie Self wowed as The Andrew Sisters in their spot-on harmonies and appropriately cutesy, synchronized choreography by Marshall in "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy," "Corns For My Country," and "Rum and Coca-Cola."

The uniformly, vocally strong ensemble all sang their hearts out (save Katherine Flannery as Lucille Ball who purposely sang comically flat).

Hadiyyah Noelle nailed the distinctive phrasing of her Lena Horne in "Summertime," adding her own belting prowess to make Horne's song her own.

The flirty Rocio Lopez infused infectious fun into her Carmen Miranda's "Smile" and "I, Yi, Yi, Yi, I Like You Very Much."

Not known for their singing abilities, both Tyrone Powers and Bette Davis would surely be envious of Milton Herdoiza and Elizabeth Della Russo smoothly warbling as them; Herdoiza in "Since I Fell For You" and Della Russo in "Sentimental Journey."

Kalinda Gray's spot-on embodiment of Marilyn Monroe totally mesmerized in Monroe's classics "Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend" and "I Wanna Be Loved By You." Gray effortlessly interacted with the Clifton's patrons in Monroe's breathy speaking voice. And, for one lucky birthday girl, Gray sang "Happy Birthday" just as Monroe infamously did for JFK. Gray paired up nicely with Nick White as Frank Sinatra on their duets "Old Black Magic" and "My Funny Valentine."

Max Von Rodderick's trumpet solo soared in "Valentine," as well as, in "Zing Went the Strings To My Heart" (well sung by Arielle Fodor as Judy Garland), and in Kenni Kinsey's sultry rendition of "Why Don't You Do Right" as Bettie Page. Pianist Michael Ragonese delighted with his piano solo ticklings, also in "Valentine." The smoking and very supportive band, under bassist Nick Rosen's musical direction, also featured Jason Sesny on sax and Mike Bennett on drums.

Kerstin Meyers as Frances Langford seized her moments to shine in "I'm in the Mood For Love" and in her encore with Ondracek's Crosby in "I'll Be Seeing You."

The entire cast gathered for the finale "Battle Hymn of the Republic" with lots of the veterans joining in.

Check out my Dinner & Show feature on Clifton's.

www.cacstudios.com

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