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"Oil City Symphony" |
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At: Danny's Skylight Cabaret Theater
Reviewer: David Roberts for Theatre Reviews Limited |
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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
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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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