What
a marvelous show! If anyone recalls the magical sounds of the Righteous
Brothers get yourself over to James A. Zimmerman’s new musical and see them again.
It’s a memory play as told by one of them (Paul Cady) after the duo have ended
their run.
You are catapulted back in time as the two young men playing Bill Medley
(Morgan Lauff) and Bobby Hatfield (Brenden MacDonald) are amazing. Their voices,
their looks, their eager manner, are reminders of the days when singers grew to
greatness through their own talent and enthusiasm.
Their
#1 hit songs: “You’ve Lost that Lovin’
Feeling” and “You’re my Soul and My
Inspiration” will ring in your ears. Then when Bobby, demanding the right
to be more than back-up to deep-voiced Bill, takes the stage and sings “Unchained Melody” and “Ebb Tide” I guarantee chills will run
down your spine. What voices, what style, what talent! If you ever fell in love
to the rhythm & blues don’t miss this.
Remember the two guys with “blue-eyed
soul” and smile.
Kudos
to director Jules Aaron and his fine ensemble: Patrick Burke, Sarah Karpeles,
Brooke Van Grinsven, J. Christopher Sloan, Timm Damiano, Nicole Renee Chapman,
Amanda Dawn Harrison and bass-player Robert Axelrod. Brilliant musical
direction by Paul Cady with advisory from bandleader Richard Levinson (boy did they
get that sound!); joyous choreography by Michele Bernath, with dazzling
costumes by Angela M. Eads.
Produced
by Group Rep at the Lonny Chapman Theatre, 10900, Burbank Blvd, NOHO, through February 7. Tickets: (818) 763-5990 or www.thegrouprep.com.
Free street parking.
Photos by Doug Engalla.
Also
reviewed in the January issue of NOT BORN YESTERDAY.
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