SPRUCE UP THIS CAFE
A gorgeous facility. A scrumptious meal. Fine Service. A fully stocked bar for pre-show refreshments. What’s missing? An outstanding professional show. Our second visit to a CENTER STAGE production at their showplace in Fontana disappoints when compared with our first experience in SHREK world at the same dinner theatre space. In this instance, SMOKEY JOE’S CAFE fails in its mission of creating an illusion that this theatre fan is “On Broadway” (or at least in the neighborhood).
This Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller revue conquered the Great White Way in 1995 for a five-year run, thrilling audiences with its energy, vocal stylings and innovative dance choreography. The original New York production boasted a series of showstopping musical numbers featuring ridiculously talented triple threats.
The expectation for this theatre’s production tracks a different path for me. Certainly this venue lacks the resources of those producers in New York, and the casting talent pool available in Southern California obviously pales in comparison to a full Equity cast secured from across the nation. However, the talent available locally cannot be underestimated, given our close proximity to Hollywood.
So, the question of the hour…where are the regional standout performers? Sorry to say, they must have taken a hike. That’s essentially what bothers me about this production. There are, however, periodic red hot performances gracing the stage. To wit, Vonetta Mixon’s version of “Hound Dog” or Michael Lunder’s rendition of “Jailhouse Rock” both serve as examples of the few times when everything gels. Unfortunately, these are highlights rather than the norm. For example, Mr. Lunder’s dancing expertise dazzles, although in one number – curiously – he appears to be singing below his comfortable vocal range.
Could it be that some of these players may be just “phoning it in” (as the saying goes) at the end of the run? There seems to be artifice on display instead of honest dramatic interpretation. Even so, actors do showcase admirable moments during the show, but the word “lacklustre” as a descriptor of their performance level rises to the surface occasionally as well.
Director/Choreographer Jeffrey Polk possesses an extensive resume, yet he comes up short with most aspects of the staging here. Not sold on Trini Garza’s musical direction either.
A note about the musical accompaniment onstage is warranted, too. Kudos to management for including live musicians in this instance. One caveat that occurs to this reviewer, though, appears obvious: namely, the level of musicianship often is not up to par. Unfortunate.
Todd Vigiletti’s stage design succeeds, then it doesn’t. The chosen projections do not integrate well within a consistent conceptual framework. Other technical credits are just fine except for some intermittent sound issues.
The verdict? Today’s stage show at SMOKEY JOE’S CAFE registers overall as a step back instead of a step forward. Anxious to check out the next scheduled offering, while allowing the smoke to obscure this one as it fades away and becomes a distant memory.
Theatre Curtain Calling…Reviewing the Situation
