With only two performances remaining of The All Night Strut at The Larry Keeton Theatre, I thought I would repost my review, because if you're a fan of real vocal talent, classic dance moves and a great night of music in general, you just gotta check out this show either Friday or Saturday night, November 18 and 19, before the show closes.
One thing I love about Donelson's Larry Keeton Theatre is that they're not afraid to mount productions of lesser-known musicals. Another thing I love about The Keeton Theatre's productions, they come with a delicious meal as one of only a couple of dinner theatre options in the Nashville area. Their current musical, The All Night Strut is the perfect way to showcase both of these aspects.
Unlike what most theatre-goers consider a traditional musical, The All Night Strut is formatted in such a way as to transport the audience back in time for a show that focuses on the music and the talented vocalist who bring it to life, rather than your typical musical fare in which characters spontaneously burst into song.
All Night Strut at The Keeton features a cast of four: a soprano, an alto, a tenor and a baritone. Because of the rigors of an all-singing show, co-directors Kate Adams-Johnson and Ginger Newman are working with two casts, depending on which night you see the show. When I attended, Stephanie Jones-Benton, Casey Gilbert, Chad David Webb and Daniel Collins were the featured quartet. Deborah Stolzfus, Melissa Silengo, David Wiliams and Tony Nappo make up the other cast.
If you think for a second that All Night Strut is for an older crowd, you'd only be half right. Yes, it's a celebration of such legendary composers and big band leaders as Duke Ellington, Walter Kent, Jerome Kern, Cab Calloway and the like, but with familiar tunes like Chattanooga Choo Choo, I'll Be Seeing You, Ain't Misbehavin' and As Time Goes By, if you're a fan of classic vocals, it doesn't matter your age.
Throughout the show, each of the vocalist is spotlighted and given their time to shine. Early on, baritone Daniel Collins proves his mettle with a still-timely, and very emotional version of depression era anthem, Brother Can You Spare a Dime, made famous by crooner Rudy Vallee.
Speaking of Vallee, tenor Chad David Webb, whether intentionally, or by pure coincidence, so closely resembled Vallee's trademark vocal quiver during A Nightingale Sang in Berkley Square, if you closed your eyes you'd swear your were listening to a old 78 vinyl record on your grandmother's Victrola.
While her solos were impressive during the entire show, soprano Stephanie Jones-Benton shined during the playfully sweet A Fine Romance. Co-directors Newman and Adams-Johnson do a marvelous job of inserting a bit of humor by way of subtle choreography and stage direction and this number simply reiterates that point.
Alto Casey Gilbert brought the house down during her second act show-stopper, Operator. The song serves as a great reminder that at the root of nearly every genre of music, gospel is nearly always present.
As touching as so many of the songs are, there's plenty of pep in the show as well. A prime example is the all-in Java Jive. Who knew an addiction to caffein could be so sexy? Talk about a pot boiler!
Another highlight occurs when our four singers come down into the audience and pick dance partners from the crowd. It's a sweet moment that once again proves, no matter your age, music is a vital part of life.
A show in which four singers with standing mics croon nearly 25 songs from days gone by might cause unfamiliar audience members to think they'd need the aforementioned jolt of java to keep their interest. Not so, thanks to some fun choreography for the singers and the addition of two dancers (alternately danced by Tara Carney, McKenna Tramel, Stephanie Jones Benton, Brandon Johnson and Dominique Howse). In what could be described as a live version of Dancing With The Stars' pros taking to the ballroom floor, the audience is treated to beautifully choreographed dance steps. The dancers' moves are based on choreography conceived by the show's original director and choreographer, Fran Charnas back in the late seventies when the show debuted off-Broadway. Those steps, in conjunction with the fabulous cast and the accompanying on-stag band, make All Night Strut one show you come away from wishing it had indeed lasted all night.
The show wraps this weekend with performances Friday and Saturday night. Call the box office at 615.883.8375 for tickets to Friday's performance. CLICK HERE to purchase tickets for Saturday night's closing night show. Up next at The Keeton, Miracle on 34th Street: The Musical, opening December 1. CLICK HERE for show details for Miracle and to check out the rest of The Larry Keeton Theatre's current season.
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