“To Soothe the Savage Beast”
This musical revue,
of staged musicals from the 40’s and 50’s, is created and directed by Deanna
Maio. It is playing at the Peninsula Odd
Fellows Lodge, 4834 N. Lombard St., through October 7th. For more information, go to their site at www.portlandmusicaltheater.org
Most music, it is
said, has a calming effect on people/animals, in which they can deal better
with conflicts in the outside world. So,
what better way to chill out than to have some outstanding singers, fabulous
songs and rousing/lulling tunes to fly you away on a magic carpet ride to lands
where things work out, eventually, for the better, and knowing that your brief
time in this magical state will enable you to recharge your batteries for any
adversity that lies ahead. “If music be
the food of love [and peace], play on!”
The 40’s & 50’s
had a multitude of musicals, which was sorely needed during the War and
Post-War eras, to pull us back to a more understanding stance on issues. They had Kiss Me Kate, Guys & Dolls,
Carousel, South Pacific, Damn Yankees, The Music Man, My Fair Lady, The Sound
of Music, West Side Story, Annie Get Your Gun, et. al. It was a wonderous time in which, if we could
not destroy Evil, at least we could push it aside for a spell, as Good regained
its footing…and music certainly was the elixir for that nasty bug that had
prevailed for a time.
All the familiar
songs are here, from sweet/haunting ballads, Goodnight My Someone, Maria and If
I Loved You…to the inspiring You’ll Never Walk Alone, the rousing 76
Trombones…and more. And the singers
(Amanda Mehl, Cody Meadows, Bronwyn Jones, Carissa Zubricky, Lydia Ellis-Curry,
Nathan Willbanks, Tristan James Stewart, Teriyaki Jefferson and Thomas McAulay)
mainly in chorus for most songs, nailed them all!
There are some of
them that had solos and I wanted to tout them as raising the bar even higher
because of their special qualities.
Jones, Jefferson and Mehl, all gave that something extra when they trod
the stage in solo moments. Their voices
and characterizations are exceptional. I
see good things for them coming…as well as all the cast, having something
special that would rival any of the big cast musical players in town!
And Maio, as well as
heading and founding the company, is amazing, creating and casting all these
revues over the years. My friend
remarked, “she pretty well can do everything, can’t she?” Yep, that pretty well sums her up…and well,
too, I would add. A tempest in the
making, as she forges forward, I believe! In the future, watch for the amusing Not Another
Christmas Letter, in December and Tenderly in April, with Maio as Rosemary
Clooney—you don’t want to miss this one!
I highly recommend
this show. If you do choose to see it,
please tell them Dennis sent you.
--DJS
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