RSS 2.0 FeedJanuary 27, 2010, Theatre
Rodgers and that other guy
Rodgers and Hammerstein are famous for revolutionizing musical theatre. Their collaboration garnered 35 Tony Awards and 15 Academy Awards. However, before Hammerstein, there was Hart. The duo worked together from 1919 until 1943. Quality Hill Playhouse is currently running "Rodgers & Hart & Hammerstein," a salute to Richard Rodger's two great partnerships.
Rodgers and Hammerstein are famous for revolutionizing musical theatre. They won 35 Tony Awards and 15 Academy Awards for their numerous collaborations. However, before Hammerstein, there was Hart. Lorenzo Hart and Richard Rodgers worked together from 1919 until 1943, writing some of the most iconic songs of the day, including Blue Moon, Isn't it Romantic and My Funny Valentine.
Quality Hill Playhouse is currently running Rodgers & Hart & Hammerstein, a salute to Richard Rodger's two great partnerships. The first half of the show features Rodgers' collaboration with Oscar Hammerstein; the second half features Rodgers and Hart. J. Kent Barnhart, the executive director of Quality Hill Playhouse, serves as the pianist and emcee for the production.
The comparison of the two lyricists was fascinating. I recognized almost all of the Hammerstein selections, because every high school and community theatre has performed one or more Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals. Through his collaboration with Rodgers, and through earlier collaborations, Hammerstein altered the course of musical theatre by creating compelling stories such as Show Boat, Oklahoma, South Pacific and The Sound of Music, instead of writiing songs for vaudeville and musical revues like most theatre of the day.
Rodgers and Hart, on the other hand, are not remembered for their hit musicals. They are remembered for the unforgettable standards they wrote for Broadway and Hollywood. Their songs were recorded by Ella Fitzgerald, Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra, to name a few. Hart was famous for penning untraditional rhymes and edgy, clever lyrics.
The singers seemed to enjoy the Hart songs more. From a musical standpoint, they performed each of the songs well, but there was no vibrancy during many of the Hammerstein selections, with a few exceptions. Often, in the theatre world, Rodgers and Hammerstein become synonymous with cheesy and trite; performers need to fight against that impulse if they wish to deliver an honest performance.
I really enjoyed Barnhart's extemporizing. Every few songs he would talk to the audience about what to expect from the next numbers. He was humorous, and the audience appreciated a short break every so often to digest the songs they had just heard.
Alison Sneegas Borberg performed some fun songs. She had a lovely silvery soprano voice, but the versatility to sass it up in the second act with To Keep My Love Alive and Johnny One Note. Borberg has performed at Quality Hill Playhouse in more than 20 productions. She has also been a featured performer with the Kansas City Symphony.
Charles Fugate played the charming male lead, reprising his South Pacific role with Some Enchanted Evening. His rendition of All At Once You Love Her from Pipe Dream, one of Rodgers and Hammerstein's not-so-famous shows, was enjoyable. Fugate has appeared in theatres across Kansas City, including recently "Molina" in Kiss of the Spider Woman and "Charlie Cowell" in The Music Man.
Melinda MacDonald conjured up images of Julie Andrews, even before she sang I Have Confidence from The Sound of Music. She also did a lovely job singing It Never Entered My Mind from Rodgers and Hart's Higher and Higher. MacDonald has been performing at Quality Hill Playhouse for 15 years. Other credits include The New Theatre, American Heartland and the Kansas City Repertory Theatre.
To be brutally honest, I did not love the costumes. The gentlemen looked fabulous in their tuxedos, but the women would wind up on the worst-dressed list for their unflattering gowns, with the exception of MacDonald's second act dress.
Overall, the show was truly fun. I enjoyed comparing Hammerstein and Hart. The music was great. The addition of bass and drums really added something. Although the show is selling well, Quality Hill Playhouse is not above a little self-advertisement. Encouraging the audience to talk up the show, Barnhart said, "You have friends and you have mouths, use them both."
REVIEW:
Quality Hill Playhouse
Rodgers & Hart & Hammerstein
Runs January 22 through February 21 (Reviewed January 23)
303 West 10th Street, Kansas City, MO
For tickets call 816-421-1700 or online at www.qualityhillplayhouse.com
Top Photo: J. Kent Barnhart, Alison Sneegas Borberg
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