Academy Theatre revisits the Lieber and Stoller songbook.
By: Stuart Duncan
Chances are the names of Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller are not terribly well known to theater buffs. But many folks call them the Rodgers and Hammerstein of rock ‘n’ roll, and it was only a matter of time before someone decided to take their considerable output of music and turn it into a revue. After all, the pair has written tunes such as "Jailhouse Rock," "Hound Dog" (and you thought Elvis actually wrote it), "Stand By Me" and "Love Potion No. 9," along, of course, with dozens and dozens of others.
So they gathered up some favorites from the long list and called the show Smokey Joe’s Café, one of the many titles they might have picked. And the Academy Theatre is staging the show in an evening that is just plain wonderful. You can start with the fact that Leiber writes in every variation of the basic forms of rhythm and blues. One moment you will have "Fools Fall in Love," the next, "On Broadway," using a completely different approach. Lyricist Stoller matches the output, switching mood from "D.W. Washburn" to "I’m a Woman."
And the director at the Academy (also the musical director who works from the keyboard), Louis F. Goldberg, found a company of eight (four ladies, four men) who work beautifully both in the solos and duets, but especially in the ensemble numbers. The men are particularly exciting in quartet numbers: Steven Ciapanna, Bryan Lesnick, James Osby and Darryl S. Thompson Jr. work such songs as "Keep on Rollin’" and "Little Egypt" so well you would think they had sung together for years. I am told the band will change from performance to performance, but the night I saw the show, Goldberg was at the keyboard, Dennis Walter was on the drums, Steve Schaefer was on guitar and John Lindner was on bass, along with an unknown sax player. Hard workers all.
The mood changes from classic love sets to humorous set-pieces and then to slice-of-life emotions. And the singers, all of whom have solo voices, easily move with elegance to choreographer Andrea Davis’ designs. You undoubtedly will have your own favorite moments. Mine included: Mr. Thompson and Beth Koperwhats pairing for "Spanish Harlem" and then Mr. Lesnick singing "I Who Have Nothing" with more passion than ever heard before. Ingrid Perez belted out "Fools Fall In Love." Mr. Ciapanna sang "Jailhouse Rock" and "There Goes My Baby." Felicia Wilkins massaged the lyrics of "Some Cats Know." Mr. Osby and his butterscotch voice joined her for "You’re the Boss." And Jaimie L. McMillin, who has a wonderful belt power voice, pulled it way down to share "Pearl’s a Singer" with us.
And those are just the solos and duets there’s much, much more. I suggest you search out the Academy Theatre (it’s right next to Mastoris Diner in Bordentown).
Smokey Joe’s Café continues at the Academy Theatre 146 Route 130, Bordentown, through May 13. Performances: Fri.-Sat. 8 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m. Tickets cost $25, $20 advance. For information, call (609) 291-9000. On the Web: www.theacademytheatre.com

