[NEohioPAL]Berko review: Pete and Keely (Kalliope Stage)

[Roy Berko]

‘PETE N KEELY’ CLOSES KALLIOPE’S SEASON

Roy Berko

(Member, American Theatre Critics Association)

--THE TIMES NEWSPAPERS--

Lorain County Times--Westlaker Times--Lakewood News
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When an artistic director of a theatre picks a play to
be presented there is a reason.  Sometimes it fits the
theatre’s avowed purpose.   Think Great Lakes
Shakespeare Festival choosing to do ‘HAMLET’.  Often
it’s because the script has something important to say
such as ‘DEATH OF A SALESMAN’ and ‘DARK AT THE TOP OF
THE STAIRS.  Maybe it’s because the show’s writer
insures great audience attendance.  Neil Simon or
Steven Sondheim come to mind.   It could be that the
theatre has the personnel who fit the script or a
special star is available.  Think Bernadette Peters as
the lead in ‘ANNIE GET YOUR GUN’ or Bette Midler as
Mamma Rose in ‘GYPSY.’   On occasion, the play fits
the theatre’s space well.  Whatever the reason, there
usually is a rationale behind the selection.
	
Paul Gurgol, the Artistic Director of Kalliope Stage,
Cleveland’s only venue completely dedicated to doing
musicals, chose ‘PETE ‘N’ KEELY’ to close the
theatre’s first season.  Yes, it does fit two
criteria, it is a musical and the two person cast fit
well the intimate confines of the 50-seat Cleveland
Heights theatre.  Besides that, it’s difficult to
figure out why Gurgol made the choice.  
	
Now, don’t get me wrong, the production isn’t
terrible.  It just begs the question, “Why spend time,
effort, talent and money on such an endeavor?”  
	
Okay, let’s examine the story.   The plot centers on a
reunion between a former husband and wife as stars of
a “bring ‘em back together” TV show.  (Kind of the
Sonny and Cher reunion.)  The music is a hodge-podge
of mostly pop songs from the ‘60s with a few weakly
conceived new works thrown in.  Musical numbers
include “Lover,” “Besame Mucho,” “This Could Be the
Start of Something Big” and “Too Fat to Fit.”
	
The script is by James Hindman with original music by
Patrick Brady and lyrics by Mark Waldrop.   Hindman,
who is a fairly well-know New York actor is making his
virgin attempt at writing a play.  It includes many
lame lines including the likes of “age is a number and
mine is unlisted.”  The writing tries too hard to be
witty and suave but fails to grab and hold the
audience’s attention.  (Ask the woman in the front row
who slept through both the first and the second act.)
	
The Kalliope production is blessed with Kathryn
Kendall who has a strong voice and good stage
presence.  Christopher Vettel also has a nice singing
voice, but has some upper range flatness and a
distracting habit of singing out of the side of his
mouth, which contorts his face and creates a humorous
look during some serious songs.  Unfortunately, as
well as they sing, there appears to be no on stage
charisma between the performers and their vocal blends
are not always aesthically pleasing.
	
Gurgol, who directs the production, has incorporated
some clever visual and choreographic moments.  “The
Cross Country Tour” is a wonderful musical collage,
“That’s All” is presented in a nice “scat” style and
“”Have You Got A Lot To Learn” was very creatively
staged.
	
The musical accompaniment is excellent, keeping in
mind that the musicians are back-ups to the singers
and their purpose is not to drown out the lyrics of
the songs.
	
Capsule Judgement:  If you like review type shows in
an intimate setting, want to support a new local
theatre, and enjoy songs of the 50s, ‘PETE ‘N’ KEELY’
might be to your liking.  
	
Kalliope Stage is located on the northwest corner of
Cedar Road, near the intersection of Lee in Cleveland
Heights.  For ticket information call 216-321 0870.
	
The theatre’s 2004-05 season will include:  A
Cleveland premiere of ‘SUMMER OF ‘42’ from October 1
to November 7, an area premiere of ‘CHRISTMAS CAROL
RAG from November 26 to December 19, ‘A LITTLE NIGHT
MUSIC’ from April 8 to May 8, and a new version of
‘BABY’ from June 25 to August 1.



=====
Roy Berko's web page can be found at royberko.info and many of his theatre and dance reviews appear on artscleveland.net.


		
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