Gettin' the Band Back Together,
book by Ken
Davenport and The
Grundleshotz,
music and lyrics by Mark
Allen,
additional material by Sarah
Saltzberg,
is a pleasant musical with a likable
cast, directed by John
Rando.
A 40-year-old man (Mitchell
Jarvis) is
fired from his job in New York City and is
forced to return home to Sayreville, New
Jersey to live with his mother (Marilu
Henner).
He decides to recruit the members of his
high school band from 20 years ago to
perform again and earn some money. The story
is absurd, but the audience at a press
preview appeared to love every minute of
this highly amplified musical. Even before
the show begins, the audience has to listen
to a half hour of the rock sounding music,
but the cast is so enthusiastic, and they
all fine singers and dancers, especially
Mitchell Jarvis, and they constantly run up
and down the aisles, that they received a
thunderous standing ovation at the curtain
call. The choreography by Chris
Bailey is
minimal and the music is not memorable, but
the audience enjoyed it, and there are a few
amusing scenes.
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Erich Bergen (photo below) gave
his final performance in Waitress to
return to his show Madame
Secretary on television, and attended
a reception in his honor at Tuscany
Steakhouse, 117 West 58th St. All the cast
of the Broadway show were present to enjoy
delicious hors d'oeuvres and fine wine and
cocktails. I photographed him and chatted
with him. He has pleasant personality. It
was a lovely party.
I met and photographed the four member
female cast, Annette O'Toole, Jean Lichty,
Kristine Nielsen and Polly McKie and
director Austin Pendleton (photo
below) of A Lovely Day at Greve
Coeur, at Shelter Studios, 244 West 44th
St. The play by Tennessee Williams opens
on September 23 at the Theatre at the St.
Clement's, and I hope to be there.
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