By Eva Trieger
CARLSBAD, California — Smokey Joe’s Cafe could just as aptly have been named “An Era of Music: From Lips to Hips.” As the sentimental crooners of the 1940s stepped back into the shadows, they made room for the restless, rebellious rockers who ushered in a whole new genre. New Village Arts brings audiences this lively, two-hour revue, performed by a supremely talented cast.
Words and music for this finger-popping show are credited to renowned New York writing team, Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller. Leiber was the son of Jewish-Polish immigrants who set down roots near Baltimore’s black ghetto. Stoller, who grew up in Queens, was exposed to the blues and boogie-woogie by African American kids with whom he attended summer camp. The pair met as teenagers, and combined their energies and talents to write for the Coasters, Elvis, and the Drifters among so many other well-known artists of the period. The show contains about forty songs, all performed by musicians Benjamin Goniea, Tony Houck, Marc Akiyama, Kyle Bayquen, Andrew Snyder, Sharon Martin, Matt Gill and April Leslie. The high caliber of music doesn’t stop there.
Michael Mizerany, four-time winner of the LA Stage Scene Award for Outstanding Choreography, does not make any missteps in this show. His choreography is inspired, charming and very well-executed by the multi-talented cast. Returning to New Village Arts stage is Natasha Baenisch, Melissa Fernandes, Jasmine January, Eboni Muse, and Trevor Rex. Several actors debuted in this vibrant show including Philip David Black, Kevin “Blax” Burroughs, Isaac Kalimo and Kyle Leatherbury. Under the brilliant direction of Tony Houck, each of these actors flourishes and shines.
The off stage and behind-the-scenes crew is no less gifted. Set Designer, Christopher Scott Murillo, brought us previous sets for Legally Blonde, Cloud Tectonics, Avenue Q and Men on Boats. Murillo won the 2016 Princess Grace Fellowship-Pierre Cardin Award.
Whatever your musical preference may be, this show delivers a sense of joy, satisfaction and promise. The songs are timeless and while the era of rock and roll may be a thing of the past, the positive energy reverberating from the stage will send you home snapping your fingers, shaking your hips, and practicing your shimmy!
Smokey Joe’s Cafe will be performed through March 10. Tickets may be purchased online www.newvillagearts.org or by phone 760.433.3245.
*
Trieger is a freelance writer specializing in coverage of the arts. She may be contacted via eva.trieger@sdjewishworld.com