NOSTALGIA–NOT WHAT IT USED TO BE WITH 8-TRACK

NOSTALGIA—NOT WHAT IT USED TO BE WITH 8-TRACK

F. J. Hartland

            As Yogi Berra once quipped, “Nostalgia isn’t what it used to be.” 

           And that pretty much sums up my feelings about the current CLO Cabaret production 8-Track: The Sounds of the 70’s. 

           The revue is organized into eight parts (“tracks”—get it?).  Each one has a different title such as “Not Sold in Stores,” “War and Peace” or “Road Trip.”  The highlight (and most exciting part) of the show was Track 7, “Disco.” 

           I spent my teenaged years in the 1970’s, and it was great to hear those songs again.  But that music deserves better than this.

            Don’t get me wrong—the cast is great.  The foursome Bradley Beahan, Teddey Brown (played by understudy Jon-Michael Reese the night I saw it), Tess Primack and Tess Soltau make this show.  Each brings shining moments to the production.

            In addition to providing what little comic relief there is in this show, Reese gives a high-energy rendition of Your Eyes Have the Mist from the Smoke of a Distant Fire.  Soltau’s voice soars in a powerful rendition of the Debby Boone classic You Light Up My Life.  In Don’t Let Me Be Lonely Tonight, Beahan is spot-on as James Taylor.  And alto Primack sings a dynamic Don’t Cry Out Loud.

            This cast sings and dances continuously through ninety minutes (not counting the fifteen minute intermission).  They are working so hard…and not getting much support.  They don’t even get names, but are referred to merely as “Tenor” or “Alto.”

            The music is canned—not a live musician to be had.  What a disappointment! 

           I know the clothes in the 1970’s were ugly because I owned them.  But these costumes by Barbara Wolfe are too unattractive, too unflattering and too ill-fitting—even for the 70’s.  The simple (and I mean simple) set by Andrea Shockling could probably to stored away and rented to anyone doing a musical review anywhere about anything.  Other than a projection or two—and a sparkle curtain late in Act Two, it has no life and nothing unique about it.  Thank goodness for lighting designer Andrew David Ostrowski who pulls out every lighting trick in an attempt to liven the physical world of this revue.

            Choreography by Tonya Phillips Staples is uninspiring and amateur-ish and—at times—downright embarrassing.

            It all ends up feeling like a tacky cruise ship show.  When it was over, I was tempted to go the Lido Deck and chat with Gopher and Captain Stubing.

            Director Rick Seeber has great material and four powerhouse performers.  There’s great potential here.  It just hasn’t been met. 

           8-Track: The Sounds of the 70’s continues through September 27 at the CLO Cabaret in Theatre Square.  For tickets, call 412-281-2822.

This entry was posted on 29. May 2009 at 15:00 and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site.

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