{"id":4873,"date":"2013-01-26T10:04:16","date_gmt":"2013-01-26T18:04:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/forallevents.com\/reviews\/?p=4873"},"modified":"2013-01-26T10:21:46","modified_gmt":"2013-01-26T18:21:46","slug":"smokey-joes-cafe-at-6th-street-playhouse-santa-rosa-ca","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/forallevents.com\/reviews\/smokey-joes-cafe-at-6th-street-playhouse-santa-rosa-ca\/","title":{"rendered":"\u201cSmokey Joe\u2019s Caf\u00e9\u201d at 6th Street Playhouse, Santa Rosa CA"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"<\/a>

From left: \u00a0Zac Schuman, Dell Thomas, \u00a0Peter Warden, Mitch Thomas<\/p><\/div>\n

\u00a0Reviewed by Suzanne and Greg Angeo<\/span><\/p>\n

Photos by Eric Chazankin<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>A Real Blast – From the Past<\/strong><\/p>\n

A diverse bunch of lively neighborhood kids gets together to celebrate love and life in 1950s America, to a soundtrack of smoking-hot rock\u2019n\u2019roll, soul, and rhythm and blues. Every song tells a story, and every singer has a story to tell. The musical revue \u201cSmoky Joe\u2019s Caf\u00e9\u201d at 6<\/span>th<\/sup> Street Playhouse is a cavalcade of 39 classic songs by <\/span>Jerry Leiber<\/strong> and <\/span>Mike Stoller<\/strong>, songwriters that together changed American culture and history with their groundbreaking music. \u00a0Accompanied by a groovin\u2019 seven-piece band led by music director <\/span>Mateo Dillaway<\/strong>, 6<\/span>th<\/sup> Street presents one rowdy crowd-pleaser of a show. Timeless pop hits like \u201cYoung Blood\u201d, \u201cSearchin\u2019\u201d, \u201cPoison Ivy\u201d, \u201cThere Goes My Baby\u201d and \u201cStand by Me\u201d inspire foot-stomping and dancing in the aisles.<\/span><\/p>\n

Conceived by musical theatre veterans <\/span>Stephen Helper, Jack Viertel<\/strong> and <\/span>Otis Sallid<\/strong>, \u201cSmokey Joe\u2019s Caf\u00e9\u201d had its premiere at the Ahmanson Theater in Los Angeles in 1994. It went on to become the longest-running musical revue in Broadway history, nominated for seven Tonys in 1995. The show\u2019s pretext is to tell the stories of these kids from the neighborhood, but using song instead of dialogue. There\u2019s no plot, no story to speak of, just a string of sparkling tunes that pop up, one by one, to be interpreted by the performers, each with their own distinct character to play. This lack of structure and storyline allows a production the opportunity to explore and challenge their talent, and to craft their very own \u201cSmokey Joe\u2019s Caf\u00e9\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n

At 6<\/span>th<\/sup> Street, the cast and crew grabbed this opportunity with both hands and ran with it, creating a fun, entertaining show. The performers consist of five men and four women, each with their own magnetic stage presence, set in motion by the great choreography and stage direction of <\/span>Alise Gerard<\/strong>, who provides for dramatic arcs and comedic escapades within several numbers<\/span>. <\/strong>The performers\u2019 remarkable emotional range, phrasing and interpretation of the lyrics are guided by vocal director <\/span>Janis Dunson Wilson<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Zac Schuman,<\/strong> with his soaring, pitch-perfect tenor, most notable in \u201cThere Goes My Baby\u201d, and <\/span>Mitch Thomas\u2019 <\/strong>deep, melodic voice that booms like low thunder in numbers like \u201cKeep on Rollin\u201d, are standouts in a group of truly outstanding singers that include <\/span>Marc Assad, Dell Parker <\/strong>and <\/span>Peter Warden<\/strong>. \u00a0Their thrilling 5-part harmony \u2013 thanks in large part to the balancing effect of Thomas\u2019 reverberating bass — induces goosebumps and shrieks from the audience. \u00a0The hyperkinetic Warden practically steals every number he\u2019s in, which is most of them. At times he seems to be channeling <\/span>Stan Laurel<\/strong>, other times <\/span>Pee-Wee Herman<\/strong>, but in any case he\u2019s clearly an audience favorite with his engaging vocals and rubbery reflexes.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

From left: \u00a0Kelsey Meille Byrne, \u00a0 Marc Assad, Emily Somple<\/p><\/div>\n

As a total performance package, <\/span>Emily Somple<\/strong> delivers star quality with a sultry assurance and throaty voice showcased in numbers like \u201cFalling\u201d and \u201cTrouble\u201d.\u00a0 Each of the other ladies is a formidable talent as well: <\/span>Amy Webber<\/strong>, <\/span>Kelsey Meille Byrne<\/strong> and <\/span>Olivia Chavez<\/strong> offer unique personalities and vocal qualities, individually and as a group. This gives a nice texture to the overall production. Highlights of the show include Webber\u2019s powerful yet wistful \u201cPearl\u2019s a Singer\u201d, and Byrne\u2019s steamy \u201cSome Cats Know\u201d. \u00a0The rousing ensemble closing number to Act One, \u201cSaved\u201d, is led by Chavez.<\/span><\/p>\n

Director and choreographer <\/span>Alise Gerard<\/strong> brings a lively, fresh spirit to the proceedings, coming less than a year after her sensational debut as choreographer for 6<\/span>th<\/sup> Street\u2019s smash hit \u201cThe Marvelous Wonderettes\u201d, \u00a0followed by \u201cGreat American Trailer Park Musical\u201d and \u201cIt\u2019s a Wonderful Life\u201d. Unfortunately, this will be her last show for 6<\/span>th<\/sup> Street, at least for awhile – she\u2019s taking her talented self to new digs in New York City. Santa Rosa\u2019s loss is Broadway\u2019s gain.<\/span><\/p>\n

Even though it seems to run out of gas near the end, only to come roaring back for the finale, this infectious show makes true believers of all within eye-and-earshot, with cheers and whoops of appreciation throughout. After all is said and done \u2013 even with good lighting, sound and costumes – it\u2019s the performers that make \u201cSmokey Joe\u2019s Caf\u00e9\u201d an exhilarating, spirit-lifting experience.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0When: Now through February 10, 2013<\/strong><\/p>\n

8:00 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays<\/strong><\/p>\n

2:00 p.m. Sundays<\/strong><\/p>\n

2:00 p.m. Saturday, February 9<\/strong><\/p>\n

Tickets: $15 to $35 (reserved seating)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Location: GK Hardt Theater at 6th<\/sup> Street Playhouse<\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/strong>52 West 6th<\/sup> Street<\/strong>, Santa Rosa CA<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n

Phone: 707-523-4185 <\/strong><\/p>\n

Website: <\/strong>www.6thstreetplayhouse.com<\/strong><\/a> <\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u00a0Reviewed by Suzanne and Greg Angeo Photos by Eric Chazankin \u00a0A Real Blast – From the Past A diverse bunch of lively neighborhood kids gets together to celebrate love and…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"yasr_overall_rating":0,"yasr_post_is_review":"","yasr_auto_insert_disabled":"","yasr_review_type":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-4873","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-greg-suzanne-angeo"},"yasr_visitor_votes":{"stars_attributes":{"read_only":true,"span_bottom":"