‘Some Enchanted Evening’ Is All That
Sierra Repertory Theatre’s latest, a musical revue in two acts full of iconic tunes delivered in an engagingly clever way, is as completely charming as its name implies.
While a show called Some Enchanted Evening: The Songs of Rodgers & Hammerstein might sound too old school or irrelevant to those unaware of the duo’s impact on musical theatre and the size of their songbook, in capable hands such as those of SRT and its stunningly capable five-member cast, it will still deliver a performance that satisfies, entertains and impresses.
Directed by SRT’s Scott Viets, the production developed from a concept by director Jeffrey B. Moss for Jerry Kravat Entertainment Services, Inc. back in 1983, is not only a fitting tribute to the golden era of Broadway musicals where Rodgers & Hammerstein reigned as innovative, naturalistic storytellers, but a nostalgic time-trip to revisit iconic show songs and rediscover others you did not realize you already knew.
The show, which opened this past weekend, is on a limited run through the end of August. Suitable for all ages, it runs about an hour and a half in total, including a 15-minute intermission. Completely sung with no spoken lines, the performance embodies the feel, lyrics, themes and messages across over two dozen Rodgers & Hammerstein compositions. It is staged rather cleverly, leading off in the first act with the five ensemble singers, who, amid a crowded collection of props and theatrical trappings, are first seen in the personas of actors and production/support staff gathering in a backstage area where they engage in a warmly intimate, winsome and fun musical romp among friends.
In the second act, the quintet returns to a stage that has been stylishly reset as a kind of romantic “somewhere in time” grand salon. In this lushly elegant space, while decked to the nines in formal evening wear, the singers connect across musical numbers in captivating interplay while depicting the various points of view and perspectives of love and life within the song selections.
SRT’s Artistic Director Jerry Lee, Artistic Associate Camryn Elias and audience favorite Courtney Glass are joined by Romar De Carlo, a Northern California actor with solid musical theatre chops, and Paige Klemenhagen, who with extensive community theatre experience, is majoring in it as well as opera at Northwestern University. Together, they are a Fantastic Five of super-talented collaborators with a clear appreciation for the music they are performing.
The feel-good flow of mood, feel, melody and lyrics created by this quintet was a pure delight to hear and watch as their loving interactions, including with the audience, gave th e songs illumination, life and wings. The wind beneath them came from a masterfully articulated single-piano music accompaniment played throughout by music director, award-winning composer and playwright Patrick Burns.
Along with “Some Enchanted Evening,” “Bali H’ai” and “I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Out Of My Hair” from South Pacific” among songs mined from the Rodgers and Hammerstein songbook that immediately come to mind are the title tune from Oklahoma with “Oh, What A Beautiful Morning,” and “The Surrey With The Fringe On Top”; the title namesake song from The Sound Of Music along with “Do-Re-Mi,” “My Favorite Things,” “Climb Ev’ry Mountain,” “Maria,” “Sixteen On Seventeen,” “The Lonely Goatherd”; “Getting To Know You” from The King and I; “Soliloquy” from Carousel; “In My Own Little Corner” from Cinderella; “Don’t Marry Me” from Flower Drum Song.
It was surprising how much of the tuneage was familiar but then again Rodgers & Hammerstein led Broadway’s golden era musical hit parade with songs that were and continue to be embraced for their universal, heartful themes as well as their catchy and colorfully evocative words and music. Their innovative approach still influences musical storytelling across pop culture.
Some Enchanted Evening – The Songs of Rodgers & Hammerstein plays through Aug. 31 at SRT’s East Sonora Theatre (13891 Mono Way, located above The Junction shopping center) with evening performances Fridays and Saturdays at 7 p.m.; matinees are Wednesdays at noon, and Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m.
Next up for Sierra Rep, to be staged at Fallon House Theatre in Columbia State Historic Park, is an interesting rotating repertory scheduling of two productions that will run Sept. 26-Oct. 26. They are John Steinbeck’s Dust Bowl era classic tale Of Mice and Men, and Nick Payne’s Constellations, described as an exploration of love, science, quantum theory, infinite possibility and how the smallest changes between two characters can create a multitude of outcomes.
For more information on SRT shows, visit sierrarep.org
