Musical magic at CRT’s “Smokey Joe’s Café”

STORRS — After hearing 39 songs in just short of two hours, including “On Broadway,” “Love Potion Number 9,” “Hound Dog,” “Ruby Baby,” and “Charley Brown,” it feels like every 1950s and 1960s Motown Rock and Rock and Roll pop song ever created must have been by the musical team of Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller.
Of course this isn’t so, but in the musical review “Smokey Joe’s Café, The Songs of Leiber and Stoller,” at the University of Connecticut’s Nutmeg Summer Series, the sheer volume of the familiar with the new is almost overwhelming, in a very good way.
If the nimble and talent performers only stood still in front of the stage reciting the tunes, that would be fine enough.
What really brings this all music show to life with a huge shot of adrenaline is the stunning choreography, by director B. Peter Westerhoff, the gorgeous and non-stop period costumes, by Sabrina Notarfrancisco, and the clever and impressive cityscape set by scenic designer Michael Anania.
The large panels that had city buildings at angles slipped around the stage, nicely mixing up the visual image of a changing energetic city world.
The lighting by designer Michael Anania creatively changed regularly throughout the show, giving a constantly new look to the set, but at times the spotlights were late or missed their mark.
How these singers have the energy to sing as well as they do while in constant motion, on and off the stage, is difficult to conceive.
Much of the choreography is of the Motown style with three backup singers moving in seamless synchronicity with the lead singer in front, but there was constant variety and well rehearsed timing throughout.
The movement in the wings must be just as impress as on the stage because between most songs, particularly in the first act, with the performers zipping in and out of costumes in a flash.
The cast features professional actors along with non-equity performers including the fine recent University of Connecticut graduate Rachel Rosado as the vixen Brenda when she sang the amusing and seductive “Torch Song.”
At times some of the singing is uneven, and seems to strain and sound nasally, such as when Kaitlin Monte as Pattie sings the harsh-sounding “I Keep Forgetting,” but then really hits her mark with the resoundingly excellent belting tune “Pearl the Singer.”
Same too with Chelsea Gidden as DeLee who sounds strained when she sings “Falling” but sounds terrific in “Trouble” with Monte, and really shakes it up with “Teach Me How to Shimmy.”
A’Lisa D. Miles who plays B.J. found her stride and sounded terrific when she sings “Hound Dog.”
James Frisby sings “Stand by Me,” and others with fine tenor clarity and the animated Curtis Wiley as Victor when he belts out the emotional “I (Who Have Nothing.)”
The comical and mellifluous Nicholas Ward as Frederick has the most beautiful, deep bass voice that is delightfully incongruous with this youthful wide-eyed innocence when he is Charley Brown and at other times.
“Smokey Joe’s Café” is a musical review that could easily go on tour, and as usual with shows at the fine Connecticut Repertory Theater, is ending too soon on Sunday.

SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE

Three ½ Stars
Location: Harriet S. Jorgensen Theatre, Jorgensen Road, Storrs.
Production: Words and music by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller. Directed and choreographed by B. Peter Westerhoff. Music direction by Seth Weinstein. Scenic design by Michael Anania. Costume design by Sabrina Notafrancisco. Lighting design by Al Crawford. Sound design by Nathan Leigh. Technical direction by John W. Parnelee. Stage manager Mary P. Costello.
Running time: 2 hours with one 15-minute intermission.
Show Times: Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at 7:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., with Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. through July 4.
Tickets: $34 for adults, $18 for Uconn students. Call the box office at 860-486-4266 of visit their website at www.crt.uconn.edu.
ACTOR…CHARACTER
James Frisby … Adrian
Brandon Moorhead … Michael
Nicholas Ward … Frederick
Curtis Wiley … Victor
Jamal Lee Harris …. Ken
Rachel Rosado … Brenda
A’lisa D. Miles … B.J.
Kaitin Monte … Pattie
Chelsea Gidden … DeLee