Castle-Ackerman-Shook-Bradley
by: Sandi Durell
There’s a walk down memory lane taking place at The Actors Temple Theatre on West 47th Street filled with everything but the kitchen sink. It’s got lots of sub themes that include the various sections of music written between 1891 and 1936 and the 80 minutes is jam packed with as many as can be humanly squeezed into that time.
Creator Gene Castle is the chief cook and bottle washer as director, choreographer and performer hoofing it up as a tapper and singer, and adding a talented cast to his revue. Brad Bradley is pleasing as the other song & dance man and, along with the rest of the cast, proves to be a quick change artist employing the use of hats, vests, and other accessories and objects provided for the various musical numbers.
Loni Ackerman provides the right amount of flair as Fanny Brice in “Second Hand Rose” and Karla Shook is outstanding with W.C. Handy’s “St. Louis Blues.” She’s got a big voice and lots of dramatic intention which should move her career along at rapid pace. Together, this duo was lots of fun on “Ain’t We Got Fun.”
There are many songs crammed into this revue divided into sections that include songs from (and here are just a few examples) Tony Pastor’s Music Hall (Bird in a Gilded Cage, The Sidewalks of New York), Jimmy’s Saloon (Nobody, Some of These Days, Alexander’s Ragtime Band), The Great War (Over There, Goodbye Broadway, Hello France), NBC Radio Program ( He Loves and She Loves, It Had To Be You, Blue Skies), Eddie’s Speakeasy (Black Bottom, Five Foot Two), Ziegfeld Follies (Swanee, If You Knew Susie. . . . You Made Me Love You) – all perfect for those who remember when or have an affinity for the historical past!
The stage is bare except for a photo backdrop of the actual Tin Pan Alley (Josh Iacovelli) and some coat trees that serve to hang the various hats and other props.
Perhaps some more backstage gossip and information about these various eras or sections might help to enlighten audiences. At any rate, this would be well received down Florida way where folks are of a certain age and would reminisce lovingly.
*Photo Carol Rosegg
Posted by Sandi Durell
on June 12, 2012. Filed under Cabaret and Interviews - Sandi Durell,COLUMNS,ENTERTAIMENT,Theatre.
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