[NEohioPAL]Berko review: LIES AND LEGENDS OF HARRY CHAPIN (Beck)

[Roy Berko]

Harry Chapin musical is another gem at Beck

Roy Berko
(Member, American Theatre Critics Association)

--THE TIMES NEWSPAPERS--
Lorain County Times--Westlaker Times--Lakewood News
Times--Olmsted-Fairview Times	

Beck Center is on a roll!  Right on the heels of the
outstanding ‘A MAN OF NO IMPORTANCE,’ which ran to
sold out audiences, the theatre has another surefire
hit on its hands:  ‘‘LIES AND LEGENDS:  THE MUSIC OF
HARRY CHAPIN.’

Harry Chapin told stories through song, and his music
has  been an integral part of American culture for
decades.   Creations like “Cats in the Cradle,” 
“Circle,” and “Tax” are classics that tell stories. 
These are not just songs, each writing is a tale
in-and-of itself.  

Born into a wealthy family, Chapin, like fellow
born-with-a-silver-spoon-in-the-mouth John F. Kennedy,
understood the plight of the American lower and middle
classes.  He had a keenly developed social conscience.
He helped establish the Hungerthon and threw much of
his energy into helping the poor and dispossessed.  He
had an eye and an ear for the lonely and disappointed.
 He expressed awareness as regret and anxiety in his
compositions. 

Chapin was killed in an auto accident in July of 1981
at the age of 38.   An obituary in Rolling Stone
stated that Chapin often described himself as a
third-rate folk singer. “Yet Harry Chapin was
something more than that.  For many who knew him, he
was a legitimate hero, not so much for his music as
for his consistent and conscientious willingness to
fight the right battles, to stand up for a just 
cause, no matter how hopeless.” 

‘Lies and Legends’ is not a musical written by Chapin.
 It is a review of some of his compositions that was
developed after his death.  The show opened in New
York in April, 1985, ran 79 performances, and has had
numerous performances around the country. 

Beck Center presented the show 15 years ago.  It was
directed by William Roudebush, as his first production
as Beck’s Artistic Director.  The  cast consisted of
Paul Allesandro, Mickey Houlahan, Monica Olejko,
Tracee Patterson and Kent Benz.  It was present-day
Artistic Director Scott Spence who decided to revive
the production.  Fortunately, Roudebush and all of the
original cast, with the exception of Kent Benz, who
died in 1994 at the age of 37, were available, though
all but Patterson and Olejko have left the area. 
Benz’s songs were assigned to Beck Center favorite Dan
Folino (who, incidentally is the son of cast member
Monica Olejko).

The production is as close to flawless as you will
see.  Roudebush keeps the scenes moving right along,
the stage pictures are ever-changing and interesting,
Olejko’s choreography is meaningful and well executed,
Nancy Maiers musical direction is note perfect.  Don
McBride’s multi-level set and Trad Burns lighting
enhance the production.  The cast’s singing, song
interpretation and movement are superlative. 
Highlights abound.

Monica and Mickey sing dual stories in “Mr. Tanner,”
with such precision that both tales can be clearly
understood.  Tracee’s “Old College Avenue” is
poignant.  Monica and the boys do a do-op version of
“Winter Song,” which is a show stopper.  Paul and
Monica’s rendition of “Get on With It” is charming. 
“Dance Band on the Titanic” is a hoot.  Dan’s “Odd Job
Man” is just out-and-out fun, as is Mickey’s “Six
String Orchestra.”   I could go on and on and mention
every song in the show as a highlight, but you get the
point.

CAPSULE JUDGEMENT:  The Beck Center’s ‘LIES AND
LEGENDS:  THE MUSIC OF HARRY CHAPIN’ is a gem.  If you
love Chapin’s stories and music, if you love good
singing, if you love creative staging....GET YOURSELF
TO BECK....NOW!!!!!!

 ‘LIES AND LEGENDS: THE MUSIC OF HARRY CHAPIN’ runs
through July 23 at The Beck Center for the Arts in
Lakewood.  For ticket information call 216-521-2540.


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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