By Carol Davis
VISTA, California–How does one pay tribute to an American icon who lived to be 101 years old, wrote over a thousand songs, nineteen were Broadway scores, eighteen Hollywood films scores with several nominations for Academy Awards, plus “God Bless America”, “Easter Parade” “This is The Army” and “White Christmas” and still do justice to Irving Berlin?
You could write a musical revue as Ray Roderick and Michael Berkeley did highlighting a fraction (58-64) of Berlin’s songs set to a loosely based story that takes a time travel journey using a Steinway upright, as the lead character that passes through several owners and call it “I Love A Piano”.
The show in our spotlight spans seventy years of musical history and takes us through our growing up years as a nation via the music of one who was considered, according to Gershwin, to be one of the greatest songwriters who has ever lived, and to composer Jerome Kern, “He IS American music”.
The story of our piano, if you will, starts in 1910 in a music sheet shop, “Alexander’s Music Shop.” It involves lots of muss and fuss around the moving of a piano with one bad key. The piano shows up again in a speakeasy. (“Pack Up Your Sins And Go To The Devil”). Then in the 1930’s it was just left out on the street (Blue Skies”, “All By Myself” and Puttin’ On The Ritz”) to go to seed. In the 40’s it made its way to a Ballroom (“Say It Isn’t So”, “How Deep Is The Ocean?”) and during World War II it ended up at the Stage Door Canteen (“Oh, How I hate To Get Up In The Morning”, “This Is The Army”, “Any Bonds Today?” “Count Your Blessings”, “White Christmas” and God Bless America”) where Berlin’s patriotic salute to America comes full circle.
“Alexander’s Ragtime Band” became Berlin’s first hit when it thrilled audiences throughout the world including Berlin’s birthplace, Russia. His rise as a songwriter in Tin Pan Alley and then on Broadway began in 1911 and he never looked back. In 1915 he wrote his next hit “I Love a Piano”.
This current production of “I Love A Piano” at the Avo Playhouse is under the direction of Carlos Mendoza (he also choreographed) and backed by the very talented musical director/ conductor/accompanist Terry O’Donnell and his four-piece orchestra (behind a scrim) with David Burnett on Woodwinds, Grant Clarkson on Acoustic Bass, Daniel Doerfler on Percussion and Bob Worthington on Trumpet. It is a mixed bag to say the least.
The score, especially for those of us old enough to remember most of his music, (I remember sitting in the balcony of one of our local movie houses as a teenager and seeing “Alexander’s Ragtime Band” and falling in love with it) is a timeless memory. The script based around our piano with its one off key, is nothing to write home about but the production is fairly enjoyable even though, on the night I attended, all seemed not equal in the talent department.
The ensemble of six is divided into three couples. Kaitlyn Terrill is Eileen and Nick Lorenzini is Jim, with a sweet tenor voice. They are the 20 something couple. They do a fun loving “We’re a Couple Of Swells” fashioned after the Judy Garland/Gene Kelly romp from the movie “Easter Parade”.
Terrill is perky and has a fine voice. Her “They Say It’s Wonderful” from “Annie Get Your Gun” and “What’ll I Do?” from Berlin’s third Music Box Revue which became an Academy award winning score for the 1974 film “The Great Gatsby” are beautifully sung and presented.
The second couple representing the 30 something are real life spouses. Stephanie Burkett-Gerson is Ginger and Zane Gerson is George. Stephanie is perky and fun to watch and her talent is head and shoulders above the others. Hers is the standout female voice in the group but her mate is no match. He needs a little more seasoning.
Cris O’Bryon’s Alex is tops on the male side. He is the stand in for the more mature male in the group and his counterpart Athena Espinoza is Sadie. Espinoza, while entertaining and fun to watch is the least convincing of the women.
Mike Buckley designed a sterling set with piano keys surrounding the stage. Of course the piano takes center stage but other props are brought in as needed. Chris Luessmann’s projections help with shots of vintage New York in the backdrop. Peter Hashagen’s sound design is clean, Curtis Mueller’s lighting spot on and Roslyn Lehman and Carlotta Malone’s period costumes, for the most part, are on target.
Before the last number, a brief history of Irving Berlin is given which proves to be useful for those whose memories might have overlooked some of his accomplishments and especially for some who might be listening to the songs of Berlin for the first time. That said the narrative, beautifully told by Cris O’Bryon, would have had more dramatic impact had it closed the show rather than the full company singing “I love A Piano” as the finale number.
“I Love A Piano” is rarely done on our local stages. If you need a fix of Irving Berlin’s music, a trip to the Avo Playhouse will cure that.
See you at the theatre.
Dates: through March 13th
Organization: Moonlight Stage Productions
Phone: 760-724-2110
Production Type: Musical Revue
Where: 303 Main Street, Vista
Ticket Prices: $22.00-$30.00
Web: moonlightstage.com
Venue: Avo Playhouse
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Davis is a San Diego-based theatre critic. She may be contacted at carol.davis@sdjewishworld.com