[NEohioPAL]Berko review: COMING TO AMERICA (Kalliope Stage)

[Roy Berko]

KALLIOPE’S ‘Coming To America’ IS ENJOYABLE

Roy Berko

(Member, American Theatre Critics Association)

--THE TIMES NEWSPAPERS--

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

On the way out of Kalliope Stage after the opening
night performance of ‘COMING TO AMERICA’ the woman in
front of me said, “That was fun.”  She was right,
every once in a while it is nice to go to the theatre
and just laugh a little, hear some good old-time
songs, watch generally talented performers, and
appreciate the creativity of a director who starts
with a script and makes it into a visual reality.

James Hindman and Ray Roderick’s ‘COMING TO AMERICA,’
is having its world premiere at Kalliope.  The duo
authored  ‘PETE ‘N’ KEELY,’ which garnered an Outer
Critics Circle Award nomination and two Drama Desk
mentions.  That script was presented in 2004 at
Kalliope.  

Billed as a “poperetta,” ‘COMING TO AMERICA’ takes on
the format of a vaudeville show with over 60 American
standards and forgotten songs.   This is no ‘WEST SIDE
STORY’ or ‘CHORUS LINE.’  It is not even ‘TINTYPES’
which takes the same theme , but does it better.  But,
the production overcomes the trite script and the
results are an enjoyable evening.

Songs include the likes of the well known “They Didn’t
Believe Me,” “Alexander’s Ragtime Band,” “Oh! How I
Hate to Get Up in the Morning,” “Over There,” “The
Streets of New York,” “You’re a Grand Old Flag,” and
“America the Beautiful.”  It also features some
ditties that few know including, “All the World Is
Swaying,” “An Irish Husband,” “It Takes An Irishman to
Make Love,” “Antonio,” “If You Don’t Want My Peaches,”
and “Samiostisa.”

The singers/dancers/comedians portray a dozen people. 
Each character, who comes to this country in the early
1900s,  is changed by America and America changes
them.

The first segment examines the coming-to-America
experience--the harrowing ship ride, seeing the Statue
of Liberty for the first time, landing at Ellis
Island, and entering the US.   The rest of the
production centers on the becoming a “Yankee”
experience.

Kimberly Koljat, portraying an Irish lass, sparkles. 
Her eyes glisten, her face glows.  Her singing voice
is excellent.  She dances well and her
characterizations are well developed.   She won the
audience with “Just You Watch My Step.”

Christopher Sena is Ambrose, an Italian.  He is
generally effective, but sings with a nasal quality. 
His version of “Everything in America is Ragtime” with
Jaron Vesely was a show stopper.

Vesely portrays Yankel, a Jewish immigrant.  He
displays appealing stage presence in a charmingly
boyish way.  His versions of “Papirosen” and “Ephraham
Played the Piano” were delightful.  He is also an
excellent dancer.  

Beth Kirkpatrick has a full and vibrant voice which
she displays well as the Swedish Pernilla .  The
audience gasped with awe as she hit her high notes. 
Her rendition of “Nobody Knows” was enchanting.  

Jason Winfield, who sometimes sings flat, has some
nice moments.  His highlight number was “When I Lost
You.”

Director Paul Gurgol, who is a master at inventing
creative “shticks” to enhance acting scenes and dance
sequences, does not disappoint.  This is a staging, 
with much creative staging and choreography, that
gives pleasure well beyond the over-used premise of
the script.

Anthony Ruggiero, the pianist and musical director
does an excellent job. Russ Borski’s set design
creates the right mood, while his costume designs are
impressive.  Lance Switzer’s lighting adds the correct
moods.

CAPSULE JUDGEMENT:  Forty percent of the people in the
United States can trace their families through Ellis
Island.  Each of those descendants, and any others who
appreciate a well-directed show with good singing and
dancing, will enjoy Kalliope Stage’s ‘COMING TO
AMERICA.’

The show runs through March 12 at 2134 Lee Road.  For
tickets call 216-321-0870 or go on line to
www.KalliopeStage.com.  Kalliope Stage’s next
production is ‘110 IN THE SHADE’ which will be
presented from April 20 to May 21.



Roy Berko's web page can be found at www.royberko.info.  His theatre and dance reviews appear on NeOHIOpal, an on-line source.   To subscribe to this free service via the World Wide Web, visit http://lists.fredsternfeld.com/mailman/listinfo/neohiopal.

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