[NEohioPAL]Review: Pleasant Melody Lingers on at BST

[Roy Berko]

PLEASANT MELODY LINGERS ON AT BEREA SUMMER THEATRE	


Roy Berko  (Member, American Theatre Critics
Association)

The Times Newspapers--Lorain County Times--Westlaker
Times--Lakewood News Times- Olmsted-Fairview Times	
	

Summer is made for relaxing, reminiscing, and pleasant
times.  Berea Summer Theatre’s THE MELODY LINGERS
ON...THE GOD BLESS AMERICA MUSICAL, which is based on
the songs of Irving Berlin will satisfy all those
summer needs.

Irving Berlin was born in Eastern Russia in 1888.  His
family moved to New York in 1893 to escape the
pogroms. At the age of eight, he took to the streets
of the Lower East Side of New York City to help
support his family after his father had died.  In the
early 1900s he started writing songs. His first
published hit was "Marie From Sunny Italy."

In World War I he wrote the musical YIP, YIP, YAPHANK
which included the hit song "Oh, How I Hate to Get Up
in the Morning."  On Armistice Day, 1939, he
introduced "God Bless America," which was sung by Kate
Smith (a filmed version of this is included in the BST
production). This song threatened to replace the
national anthem because of its popularity.  In World
War II, he wrote the musical THIS IS THE ARMY, which
contained "This is the Army, Mr Jones" and "I Left My
Heart at the Stage Door Canteen."

Berlin was prolific.  He wrote more than 900 songs, 19
musicals, including the legendary ANNIE GET YOUR GUN,
and the scores of 18 movies.  Some of his songs that
have become classics include "There's No Business Like
Show Business," "Easter Parade," and "White
Christmas."  

Following a 1988 gala 100th birthday celebration
concert at Carnegie Hall, Morton Gould, president of
ASCAP, said that "Irving Berlin's music will last not
for just an hour, not for just a day, not for just a
year, but always."   Songwriter Jerome Kern observed
"Irving Berlin has no place in American music. He is
American music."   Not bad for a poor immigrant who
had only two years of formal schooling and who never
learned to read music!  Irving Berlin died on
September 22, 1989, at the age of 101. 

THE MELODY LINGERS ON...THE GOD BLESS AMERICA MUSICAL
chronicles Berlin’s life and music, with an actor
portraying Berlin acting as the narrator. 

Director/choreographer Eric van Baars has developed a
pleasant show.  There are neither stirring moments nor
disappointing flaws.  The 10-person cast is competent,
the music well presented, the choreography nicely
developed.   Scenic designer Todd Kripsinsky’s
mutli-leveled piano-motifed set works well.  The use
of real slides and pictures of Berlin’s life was a
production enhancement.  Jeffrey Smarts’ costumes are
nicely conceived.

Show highlights include the cleverly choreographed
"When the Midnight Choo Choo Leaves for Alabam’," the
flapper era ditty "Shaking The Blues Away," " the
energetic "Steppin’ Out With My Baby," and the
creative "Let Yourself Go." 

One of the show’s lines states, "The evening was
electric." No, the evening wasn’t electric, but it is
pleasant and reminiscent and relaxing.  It makes for a
nice summer entertainment.

The Berea Summer Theatre’s production of THE MELODY
LINGERS ON...THE GOD BLESS AMERICA MUSICAL runs in the
John Patrick Theatre on the campus of Baldwin Wallace
College in Berea through August 11.  For tickets call
440-826-2240.


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