Rediscover the rock ‘n’ roll songs of Leiber and Stoller in this Bristol Riverside Theatre production.
By: Stuart Duncan
In an era when everything qualifies as grist for the voracious appetites of stage and television from court records of a Laramie, Wyo., trial to bottom-of-the-trunk early works by later masters it was inevitable that producers would find the songwriting team of Leiber and Stoller.
Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller might not have the name recognition of Rodgers and Hammerstein or Lerner and Loewe, but it is said that they virtually created rock ‘n’ roll. Songs such as "Fools Fall in Love," "Love Potion #9," "Spanish Harlem," "Stand By Me" and especially "Hound Dog" celebrate the golden age of American culture and were recorded by some of the finest and best-known artists of the time. Now, no less than 38 of the pair’s tunes have been assembled under the title of Smokey Joe’s Café, which became Broadway’s longest-running musical revue ever and followed that with a record-breaking national tour. The show is being given a magnificent staging at Bristol’s Riverside Theatre.
There is nothing particularly tricky about the concept: nine of the most talented performers available (five men, four women, each a glorious vocal stylist and good mover), backed up by designer Crystal Tiala’s witty, slightly cartoonish, constantly shifting and sliding set; Scott Pinkney’s inventive lighting; Sharon Halley’s athletic choreography; and Edward Keith Baker’s best work of the season as director and musical director.
And the performers: Arthur Marks, who can dance up a storm, then break your heart with "I, Who Have Nothing"; Tyrone Robinson and Jennifer Houston, individually lovely song stylists, who team in "Love Me/Don’t" to great effect; and Leslie Goddard, who sings "Fools Fall in Love" with the best of them.
The petite Simone DePaolo can flip a laughing lyric to the back walls with ease in "Don Juan," rock the theater with "Some Cats Know" and then dance her way into your heart in "Spanish Harlem." Brian Dickerson hits the lowest notes since the ’32 bank failures, then turns around to sing a love duet with Ms. DePaolo, both seemingly with ease. Monica Pège gets to sing "Hound Dog" the way it was originally written, before Elvis Presley got a hold of it. David Havasi, with an expressive, mobile face, so obviously enjoys himself, while Forrest McClendon, with a barbershop quartet voice, does the same with "Keep on Rollin’" and "Loving You."
It is two hours of wonderful talent and pure fun a delicious ending to Bristol’s season.
Smokey Joe’s Cafe continues at Bristol Riverside Theatre, 120 Radcliffe St., Bristol, Pa., through May 25. Performances: Wed. 2, 8 p.m.; Thurs.-Fri. 8 p.m.; Sat. 3, 8 p.m.; Sun. 3 p.m. Tickets cost $37-$39. For information, call (215) 785-0100. On the Web: www.brtstage.org

