Search - Hugh Martin, Alli Bivins, Edward Prostak :: Look Ma, I'm Dancin! (2000 Off-Broadway Concert Cast)

And Singing, Too!

Ronizetti | Indianapolis, IN United States | 01/28/2001

(3 out of 5 stars)

"While a title "Look, Ma, I'm Dancin!" beckons one to view.. here one must "Listen"!~ And even then Ma would be proud! Fortunately this happy musical given production at Musicals Tonight was also given a studio recording documenting the production and showcasing some familiar and formidable New York talents. Admittedly, the score is not immediately memorable. Given today's musical tastes it may be found old-fashioned, narrowly bordering on vaudevillian. It should be noted however that simple piano accompaniment cannot be expected to do full justice to any score. One also wishes to see what the accompanying choreography may have added to it's impression... Here the draw of this recording remains it's talents.Jennifer Allen gives an assured and sturdy performance as "Lily". Oddly enough as presumed "star" of the show, her numbers seem the least impressive overall, none in fault to Ms. Allen but in their construction. She doesn't let this sideline her however and she puts in a fine performance full of comedic nuance. Sally Mae Dunn gives a grand comedic performance as "Dusty". She makes the most of her one song "The New Look", a comical delight bemoaning the art of dressing. The standout juvenile pair and partnering of Kelli Rabke and Julian Brightman as "Snow White" and "Wotan" give this discs it's draw. In his characters opening song, "Little Boy Blues" ( of which Brightman certainly could well be acquainted ) Julian shows why he is recognized as one of New York's finest stage talents. His voice is expressive and experienced in such a "theme song" lament. One doesn't have to guess how he got this role!~ Ably matching him is Kelli Rabke as his "Snow White", possessing a fine lyric voice with a mix of sweetness and sass providing a perfect foil for Brightman's "Wotan". Brightman's happiest moment on the disc comes in the delightful "Shauny O'Shea" duet, again with Ms. Rabke. A comic little patter song in which he imagines he has a rival in the fictitious "Shauny O'Shea" whom Snow White has invented to stir his jealously. Indeed it would take quite an imagination to find a rival for the talented Mr. Brightman. His voice blends a youthfulness and clearness of tone which he commands to his use in expression. (One could only complain that his attention to his immaculate diction may sometimes be placed at the cost of further expression.) Rounding out the cast are also Rob Lorey as "Larry" and Noah Racey as "Eddie". Granted musical tastes have changed and the absence of an orchestra accompaniment does make for distraction, but you can't go wrong giving a listen to the fine and committed cast who give this production their all, and wonderfully so ~"