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Music outshines politics in Ensemble's review
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Reviewed by BENJAMIN GLEISSER, Freelance Writer
"Let Freedom Ring!: The social conscience of the American musical” is a study in liberal arts.
The cabaret-style review celebrates 75 years of left-leaning musical theater. The production, produced by Ensemble Theatre, is playing at The Cleveland Play House.
Politics, shmolitics - everyone loves to hear the good ol' songs of yesteryear, right? So even if you get your information from FOX News or you're still checking under your bed for Communists, you'll enjoy hearing this collection of 39 Broadway showtunes performed by five lively actors with workingman voices.
"Let Freedom Ring!” was created by Cleveland-based playwright Eric Coble and radio announcer Bill Rudman, better known as the host of "Footlight Parade,” which has been broadcast on WCLV 104.9 FM for more than 23 years. Many of the songs were penned by E.Y. "Yip” Harburg, best known for writing "Finian's Rainbow” and "The Wizard of Oz.” Harburg believed, "the purpose of a musical is to make people think.”
There's more singing than thinking in "Let Freedom Ring!”, which features the boisterous Mick Houlahan as the leader of the players. Besides doing ditties, his role entails giving soulful or bemused looks to cast members as they perform their songs. The supporting troupe includes Michael Russo and Erin Childs, who wear business attire and, I suppose, are meant to represent capitalist idealists. Hannah DelMonte and Javar Parker are obviously bohemian, because their colorful getups seem straight from "Hair.” And the plot of this show is - well, it's really just a bunch of songs on hot-button topics like air pollution, labor relations, war and the American dream, from Broadway musicals like "Pins and Needles,” "How Now Dow Jones,” "Bloomer Girl” and "Rent.”
The performers are energetic, although they occasionally strain to hit their high notes. Some memorable moments include nice mugging and great harmony from Russo and Parker in "The Locker Room.” The ballads "Song of the Sewing Machine” and "Millwork” are movingly performed by DelMonte and Childs. The whole cast, led by Houlahan's booming baritone, shines in the funny "A Wonderful Way to Die.”
Pianist Nancy Maier provides adequate accompaniment to the lyrical goings on, and choreographers David Shimotakahara and Pandora Robertson have sketched out simple yet engaging moves. Director Eric Schmiedl pulls the breezy production together well, and scene designer Todd Krispinsky has created the window-like backdrop on which slides and titles are projected.
So, if you're looking to give 'em the old razzle dazzle, then strike up the band and enjoy these tunes from yesteryear. Despite the political overtones, I give the production a vote of confidence.
"Let Freedom Ring!: The social conscience of the American musical,” plays through Sept. 17 at Ensemble Theatre at The Cleveland Play House. 216-321-2930.
"Let Freedom Ring!: The social conscience of the American musical” is a study in liberal arts.
The cabaret-style review celebrates 75 years of left-leaning musical theater. The production, produced by Ensemble Theatre, is playing at The Cleveland Play House.
Politics, shmolitics - everyone loves to hear the good ol' songs of yesteryear, right? So even if you get your information from FOX News or you're still checking under your bed for Communists, you'll enjoy hearing this collection of 39 Broadway showtunes performed by five lively actors with workingman voices.
"Let Freedom Ring!” was created by Cleveland-based playwright Eric Coble and radio announcer Bill Rudman, better known as the host of "Footlight Parade,” which has been broadcast on WCLV 104.9 FM for more than 23 years. Many of the songs were penned by E.Y. "Yip” Harburg, best known for writing "Finian's Rainbow” and "The Wizard of Oz.” Harburg believed, "the purpose of a musical is to make people think.”
There's more singing than thinking in "Let Freedom Ring!”, which features the boisterous Mick Houlahan as the leader of the players. Besides doing ditties, his role entails giving soulful or bemused looks to cast members as they perform their songs. The supporting troupe includes Michael Russo and Erin Childs, who wear business attire and, I suppose, are meant to represent capitalist idealists. Hannah DelMonte and Javar Parker are obviously bohemian, because their colorful getups seem straight from "Hair.” And the plot of this show is - well, it's really just a bunch of songs on hot-button topics like air pollution, labor relations, war and the American dream, from Broadway musicals like "Pins and Needles,” "How Now Dow Jones,” "Bloomer Girl” and "Rent.”
The performers are energetic, although they occasionally strain to hit their high notes. Some memorable moments include nice mugging and great harmony from Russo and Parker in "The Locker Room.” The ballads "Song of the Sewing Machine” and "Millwork” are movingly performed by DelMonte and Childs. The whole cast, led by Houlahan's booming baritone, shines in the funny "A Wonderful Way to Die.”
Pianist Nancy Maier provides adequate accompaniment to the lyrical goings on, and choreographers David Shimotakahara and Pandora Robertson have sketched out simple yet engaging moves. Director Eric Schmiedl pulls the breezy production together well, and scene designer Todd Krispinsky has created the window-like backdrop on which slides and titles are projected.
So, if you're looking to give 'em the old razzle dazzle, then strike up the band and enjoy these tunes from yesteryear. Despite the political overtones, I give the production a vote of confidence.
"Let Freedom Ring!: The social conscience of the American musical,” plays through Sept. 17 at Ensemble Theatre at The Cleveland Play House. 216-321-2930.
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