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What are you in the mood for?
Do you crave some classic Cole Porter with a little soft-shoe? A love story with a bizarre twist? Or a thought-provoking look at science with a gruesome mystery tossed in? All three choices are open to you this weekend on Fairfax County stages.'Red Hot & Cole:' It's delovely
"Red Hot & Cole," a musical memoir of the life of legendary songwriter Cole Porter, glides onto the stage at the Alden Theatre at the McLean Community Center.
The chance to hear familiar Porter standards – "I Love Paris," "Anything Goes," "I Get a Kick Out of You," "You're the Top," "Miss Otis Regrets," "My Heart Belongs to Daddy" and more – sung in the Alden Theatre's wonderful facility is a more-than-sufficient reason to see this show.
The melodies are performed beautifully by the three-piece band: Evan Wilkinson on grand piano, Dave Burrelli on bass and Matt Hardy on drums. The threesome is on stage throughout, not in the pit – a demanding endeavor – smoothly delivering one tune after another.
The script works well and is easy to follow. It brings Porter's career to life via a succession of parties in New York and Paris, where he mingles with friends, mentors and colleagues.
The costumes – formal attire designed for Cole and Linda Porter's high-society parties – are divine. The men are dashing in dinner jackets and the women dazzle in elegant sequined gowns. Kudos to Richard "Bat" Battistelli for his exquisite taste.
Many of the dance numbers are also impressive. Dancer Tim Adams sweeps effortlessly from stepping out with graceful partner Kayce Allison to leading an energetic ensemble tap-dancing number. Adams, who has worked with tap greats like Savion Glover, exudes a love for his art. The choreography by Stefan Sittig exploits the stage to its best advantage.
Josh Doyle, who plays show-biz greats Noel Coward, Clifton Webb, George S. Kaufman, Sam Katz and Moss Hart, exhibits a certain star quality. He has great timing, and his expressive facial and body movements connect with the audience.
Some of the other performers appeared a little self-conscious, which worked against the playful, carefree party mood of the script. In other words, with the exception of Doyle, Adams and Jade Wheeler as Bricktop, no one seemed to be having much fun. A terrific dancer and vocalist, Wheeler was relaxed in her stage presence even while precise in her movements.
The ensemble cast would work better if the audience could feel more chemistry among the performers, and if their energy could be hiked up a notch or two. Because they fall just short of jelling as a group, the emotion isn't as high as it could be – especially after Cole Porter is devastated by a horseback-riding accident.
Several of the actors, like Doyle, played multiple roles, which was somewhat confusing. I was never quite sure which character was being portrayed – not that that interfered with the storyline. It would be helpful, too, to see signs of aging in the actors to get a sense of how much time is passing.
All in all, the show was definitely enjoyable, and the audience who nearly filled the house was most assuredly appreciative.
Stay tuned for reviews of Reston Community Players' "An Experiment with an Air Pump" and Vienna Theater Company's "Prelude to a Kiss."
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