BWW Reviews: ON THE RECORD Croons to the Tunes of Days Gone By

Conceived and directed by Bill Daugherty, ON THE RECORD at Stage 72 is a deliciously nostalgic musical throwback into ages past.

Serenading the audience through musical history are four, with an occasional fifth, cast members: director/creator Bill Daugherty, Paul Kropfl, Amanda Savan, and Deborah Tranelli. The band, the space, and the cast my be small, but the power and energy of the performance pack

s a major punch.

Featuring twenty plus hits from the 1930s-70s, the show runs about ninety minutes. Artists featured included The Andrews Sisters, Bing Crosby, The Beach Boys, The Beatles, The Bee Gees, and many, many more. Each song is broken up by the history of the piece and a fun fact or two about the artist, creative process, or even a musical innovation in the recording industry.

Daugherty plays a wicked Crosby, while Kropfl does a mean rendition of The Bee Gees' "Too Much Heaven". Both Savan and Tranelli owned the stage as vocal powerhouses and fabulous divas alike. The harmonies were impeccable, the sincerity: sublime. Props also to the designers: many numbers featured pictures and clips from the groups featured in the setlist, and even a movie clip, which definitely added onto the already hefty sense of sentiment radiating throughout the theatre. The more emotional may even shed a tear or two, if just the right memory is arrived at.

One of the greatest parts for music buffs is the familiarity of it all: not a song went by where there wasn't an audible sense of anticipation over the next number from the audience. Not only that, but a few numbers in, people were already toe tapping, snapping, clapping, and singing along to their favorites. And once the house lights came up, it seemed every other patron turned to their neighbor, whether it was their husband, wife, or a complete stranger, to say how much they enjoyed the show.

The crowd was a nice variety of ages: twenty-somethings enjoyed it just as much as the sixty to eighty-somethings, who were completely impressed with these renditions of their favorite hits. The excitable buzz was discernible and truly remarkable- music has that much of an impact on people. ON THE RECORD is most definitely for all ages, and everyone who has an appreciation of music and its vast and colorful history, not to mention spot-on performance.

ON THE RECORD - A Tribute to the Great Vocal Groups of the 20th Century will play STAGE 72 (158 West 72nd Street) through December 15. Tickets, priced at $25 (half-price for students/seniors) can be purchased online at www.BrownPaperTickets.com. There is a two drink minimum, cash only.

Photo Credit: Genevieve Rafter-Keddy

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