Things Are Smokin' At 'Smokey Joe's Cafe'

Barbara Rich

The Observer, July 24 2002

"Smokey Joe's Cafe" is the last of this season's Heritage productions to go into repertory, so let the news go forth: This is a rollicking review of song and dance. Who would think that nine performers could do justice to 41 musical numbers in a couple of hours? Evidently director Cate Caplin did; knowing the quality of the cast she had to work with, the proof of Caplin's confidence and know-how lies in the seeing.

Jerry Lieber and Mike Stoller wrote "Cafe's" words and music, which cover a time frame from the '40s to the early '60s. The songs are slow and edgy; rousing and raucous; soft and sweet; spicy and steamy hot. Everyone one of the four women and five men are equal to the task of knocking them out of Culbreth Theatre's ballpark, and into the collective lap of the audience. On Friday night, there was a spontaneous standing ovation, along with whoops of delight to reward the performers.

Jared Bradshaw, Mekia Cox, Kendra Goehring, Lisa Goldstein, M. Frank Holmes, Cedric Leiba, Arbender Robinson, Millie Thomas and Daniel Watt's talents are highlighted by Tom Bloom's superb set and Janine Marie's terrific costumes. Against a backdrop of era-reflective posters, Bloom creates a perfect background for the production. As for the dresses and men's suits, they are as much a part of the action as the actors who wear them.

It must be emphasized that since "Cafe" is very much an ensemble effort, it is impossible to single out any one performer as being better than any of the others. The teamwork on stage is palpable, and if some songs are delivered with more punch than others, it's due to the number not the deliverer of same.

Sultry is the word for Goldstein and Cox's way with "Trouble," and the latter's effect on three drooling guys when she moves the thermostat in "Teach Me How To Shimmy" is an awesome example of the power of movement.

"Shoppin' For Clothes" is an opportunity for five men to flirt with fashion, and the entire company grooves in salutes to rock and roll. Thomas has several chances to show us the depth and breadth of her vocal pipes, and Leiba and Cox do a great job with the haunting "Spanish Harlem" - one of the numbers in which Caplin proves her choreographic skills. As for the four women, they give new life to the feminist mantra: "I'm A Woman." And, on my, they certainly leave no doubt about their qualifications!

Other familiar numbers that are done to a turn include "On Broadway," a "Hound Dog" that might impress Elvis, and a rousing gospel number, in which Thomas reads the riot act to a sinner. And then there's the company's handling of "Yakety Yak" and "Charlie Brown." Plus, Robinson's soulful rendition of "I Who Have Nothing..."

It's all such fun, and it's movingly nostalgic to boot. Try not to be touched by the ensemble's tribute to "Neighborhood," reprised by the women. Try not to sway along to "Stand By Me." Try - and see how far you get - not to clap along with some of the more rhythmic numbers and be bewitched by the musical direction of Betty Jo Dominick Reyes and her merry band of players.

Michael Tallon Ciok and Vikram Kirby team up, once more, to provide us with excellent lighting and sound design - assuring us of enhanced enjoyment of everything going on before our eyes.

This season's productions are a wonderful melange. With "Proof" and "Comic Potential," we both pondered and laughed. "I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change," was a thought-provoking parable on the progression of life's relationships, and to round out the series, the Heritage presented two musicals to lighten and brighten our spirits: from opening night's "Anything Goes" to "Smokey Joe's Cafe."

Let us doff our invisible hats to the Heritage Repertory Theatre, which does so much to make summer in our area a wonderful experience.