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"Oil City Symphony" by Mike Craver, Mark Hardwick,
Debra Monk, and Mary Murfitt
At Danny's Skylight Cabaret Theater Reviewed by David Roberts for Theatre Reviews
Limited
What can a group of old high school friends do to
honor their teacher from years gone by who gave them the gift of appreciating
music, the gift of making music, and taught them the importance of "energy" when
embarking of the path of being truly gifted musicians?
Four of Miss Reeves' former students -- Mike (Mike
Craver), Mark (John DiPinto), Debbie (Mary Ehlinger), and Mary (Mary Murfitt) --
decide, years after graduation and well into their adult lives and careers, to
reunite and "put on a show," a recital in Miss Reeves honor at Cap'n Danny's
Seafood Shack, site of the annual alumni gatherings in the fictional Midwest
town of Oil City.
And what a recital it turns out to be. Cast
members Mike Craver and Mary Murfitt, along with Mark Hardwick and Debra Monk,
have written a tight, funny, oddly touching musical which won (in its initial
incarnation) considerable acclaim and continued with great success on a variety
of tours.
Now back Off Broadway at Danny's Skylight Cabaret
Theater "Oil City Symphony" continues to please audiences and celebrate the
importance of "interactive theatre" (it was Oil City Symphony" that influenced
the later development of "Forever Plaid" and "Tony and Tina's
Wedding").
In "Oil City Symphony" four talented professional
actors and musicians portray four sometimes-talented (sometimes not) amateur
musicians who perform with all the energy, all the hilarity one would expect
from an eighth grade guidance counselor who once played with an acid rock band
called Thursday's Grief (Mike on synthesizer), a Junior College instructor of
music appreciation who is best known for her portrayal of Anita in "West Side
Story" (Mary on violin), a drummer who is an ex-prom queen and who now plays in
a strapless gown (Debbie), and a church minister of music (Mark) who plays the
piano and accordion with less than religious abandon.
As these reunited friends remember how they used to
be and how they used to play, they alternately honor one another ("good luck"),
compete with one another, and infuriate one another during their reunion
recital.
Mary plays the violin and the saxophone and when
she does "The Hokey Pokey" she is careful to use her left hand to cover any
cleavage that might be visible when bending over to "put her right hand in."
Mary began her musical career at two and a half playing "Twinkle, Twinkle,
Little Star." Debbie wears one high heel and one sneaker to maximize her
"thumping" the drum. When Mark is playing the accordion, keyboard player Mike
can fill in. After the interval, Mike and Mark take their coats off in
unison.
There are a lot of "performance jitters" and
strained looks that add to the wonderful zany nature of this piece of theatre.
To honor Hazel Reeves, the Oil City Symphony plays some standards, some special
medleys, and some patriotic fanfare. And it is all marvelous, all hilarious,
and all very professionally executed. No detail is lost on these four
performers. There is hardly a wasted gesture or toss of the head. It all
matters here.
Highlights of the recital, in addition to all of
the original material, are: an unaccompanied "Count Your Blessings;" a memorable
"In a Gadda da Vida" once popularized by Iron Butterfly but now forever an Oil
City standard; a masterful "Dueling Keyboards" which pits the talents of Mike
and Mark against one another; an almost unbelievable piano eight-hands piece
called "Coaxing the Ivories" which, as face-paced as it is, allows time for Mary
and Debbie to enjoy a sip or two of water; and a truly unforgettable "Stars and
Stripes" which manages to out-Sousa John Philip Sousa.
There is also quite a bit of patter which, though
very funny, reminds us all of a time gone by when teachers not only taught but
were concerned about "cussing on the bus" and "being sweet" and "not taking
drugs." A time when adults survived adolescence with hope and dignity because
someone cared. A time when the Miss Reeves of our childhood showed up at alumni
recitals when we became adults.
"Oil City Symphony" is a must see
event.
Be sure to plan to have lunch or dinner prior to
the show. Danny's has both a "Bangkok" and a "Broadway" Menu with well-prepared
appetizers, soups, entrees, and desserts with tempting daily specials and a full
wine list. The food is uniformly excellent and the wait staff is gracious and
capable of making appropriate recommendations from the extensive menus. Danny's
main dining room is the perfect spot for pre or after theatre meals and is
conducive to intimate or family dining. A full review of Danny's restaurant
will appear in the near future in Theatre Reviews Limited's new Restaurant
Review section. In the meantime, be sure to see "Oil City Symphony" before this
wacky symphony decides to take its show on the road.
Reviewed on Sunday, November 12, 2000
"OIL CITY SYMPHONY"
By Mike Craver, Mark Hardwick, Debra Monk and Mary
Murfitt. Directed by Mary Murfitt. Set design by Shelley Barclay; sound and
lighting design by Bobby Kneeland; costume design by Michael Krass; production
stage manager, Scott Levy. Presented by George S. Gordon at Danny's Skylight
Cabaret Theater, 346 West 46th Street between Eighth and Ninth Avenues on
Restaurant Row, for a limited engagement. Performance schedule: Thursday,
Friday and Saturday at 8:00 p.m.; Sunday matinees at 3:00 p.m.; and a special
late show on Friday and Saturday nights at 10:30 p.m. Tickets are $35.00 plus a
$10.00 minimum for food/drink. Pre-show lunch and dinner are available.
Tickets are available through Telecharge at (212) 239-6200 and at Danny's box
office, open daily from 4:00 until 8:00 p.m. Telephone: (212)
265-8130.
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