Review: 'Grand Night For Singing' Is A Fun, Romantic Musical Revue
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By David [email protected]
Fun is the first word because the seven-member cast actually looked like they were having a good time. That doesn't always appear to be the case with some shows at some theaters.
The other word is romance because most of the songs performed were about feelings of the heart. With the men dressed up in tuxedos (white in Act I, black in Act II), and the women in bright elegant dresses (purple in Act I, various colors, longer dresses in Act II), the actors also looked ready for a romantic night.
"Grand Night For Singing" is a revue of songs from Rodgers and Hammerstein well-known Broadway musicals including "Oklahoma!," "Carousel," "State Fair," "Allegro," "South Pacific," "The King and I," "Me and Juliet," "Pipe Dream," "Cinderella," "Flower Drum Song" and "The Sound of Music." Not all the 36 songs are sung to completion, but they give you a taste of Rodgers' and Hammerstein's 11 musicals.[[In-content Ad]]There are only seven performers in WWT's "Grand Night," but each one sang eloquently opening night Wednesday, perhaps even their best. It occurred to me, during the show, that if the WWT ever wanted to do a fundraiser for the theater, these seven could lend their voices to a CD and it would sell very well.
The show opens up with a medley of songs performed by the entire cast. From there, cast members take turns with the songs. Sometimes it's a solo or a duet, for some songs it's three, four or all members on a song.
Adrian Aguilar, who audiences unfortunately have not gotten to see this summer until this production, showcases his vocal talent in "Grand Night." He gets to do a few solos, duets and trios. I found myself reminded of Josh Groban, though less operatic. My favorite numbers involving Aguilar include "Honey Bun" and "My Little Girl."
There's also some dancing throughout the show, and while the entire cast nails it, Aguilar had the best moves. He's one to watch, but I've said that about him the past couple of seasons, too. However, in "Grand Night," he seems to have only gotten far, far better.
Also doing his best singing in "Grand Night" was Michael Vangemert. He's been in every show this season in a supporting role if not the lead role, but he shows off his musical talent best in "Grand Night." I especially loved his rendition of "This Nearly Was Mine" from "South Pacific."
Vangemert is a really nice guy, and sometimes I tend to be hard on him with his performances in my reviews, but with "Grand Night," I wasn't disappointed. He looked like he was having the best time on stage, with not a worry in the world. He also had some of the best comedic moments of the show.
He gets an A+ for opening night in my grade book.
The third and final male actor for "Grand Night" is Jason Weitkamp, a well-known WWT actor. When I think of character actors who have performed on the WWT stage, Weitkamp comes to mind. But he's easily enjoyable performing musicals. My favorite Weitkamp solo Wednesday was "Love, Look Away," from "Flower Drum Song." It almost was heartbreaking, but beautiful, the way he sang it.
Now as for the four lovely ladies in "Grand Night," just call me an adoring fan. Each one has their strengths, but I'd be happy to listen to any one of them sing all night.
A few years ago, I had the pleasure of seeing "South Pacific" at the Wagon Wheel. Starring in a female lead role was the ever-delightful Jennifer Dow. I haven't forgotten her since.
In "Grand Night," she, along with the other ladies, perform a shortened version of "I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Out-a My Hair" from "South Pacific." They turn the number - to quote Dow herself after the show in the zoo line - into an "Andrews Sister" kind of number. It's a little jazzed up, very sexy, different from the "South Pacific" show a few years ago, but I liked it.
I also was entertained by Dow's performance of "It's Me" from "Me and Juliet." She was joined on stage for some dancing by Aguilar and Vangemert, but it was all her number.
The best number for Erin Rinke-Vangemert was her first solo of the show in Act I, "Do I Love You Because You're Beautiful." She's also good with her husband on the number "Shall We Dance?"
Jennie Sophia can act, as audiences who saw the play "Picnic" will remember. As "Grand Night" reminds audiences, she can sing just as divinely. She has the kind of voice that could sing angels to sleep, or stir the hearts of man to end a war. (Ok, I'm exaggerating to the millionth degree, but you get my point. I love to hear her sing.)
Sophia is probably the best female actress on the WWT stage this year to do duets with in a show. But when she goes solo, she's also lovely, as the number "It Might As Well Be Spring" in "Grand Night" proves.
Last, but certainly not least, is the stunning Anna Ahlborn. Ahlborn, to my ears, has that Judy Garland-let's do some cabaret-Broadway star kind of voice.
I could see her really belting out some Billie Holiday, Etta James, Garland, Liza Minnelli, etc. numbers for her own one-woman musical show. She'd stand at the end of a piano as her accompanist plays along. The lights would be dim, audiences drinking their cocktails, absorbing every note that graced their ears. Her long black dress sparkles from the occasional reflection of light. She'd smile inbetween songs, making everyone watching and listening to her feel at ease.
That's the vibe I got from her when I listened to her sing Wednesday night. That's the way she makes me feel.
I won't pick a best song for her from "Grand Night" because that's too tough of a call.
And the best thing about the whole "Grand Night For Singing"? I left the Wagon Wheel feeling better than when I went in.
That makes for a good show.
My rating of the show (out of four): 3.25.
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Fun is the first word because the seven-member cast actually looked like they were having a good time. That doesn't always appear to be the case with some shows at some theaters.
The other word is romance because most of the songs performed were about feelings of the heart. With the men dressed up in tuxedos (white in Act I, black in Act II), and the women in bright elegant dresses (purple in Act I, various colors, longer dresses in Act II), the actors also looked ready for a romantic night.
"Grand Night For Singing" is a revue of songs from Rodgers and Hammerstein well-known Broadway musicals including "Oklahoma!," "Carousel," "State Fair," "Allegro," "South Pacific," "The King and I," "Me and Juliet," "Pipe Dream," "Cinderella," "Flower Drum Song" and "The Sound of Music." Not all the 36 songs are sung to completion, but they give you a taste of Rodgers' and Hammerstein's 11 musicals.[[In-content Ad]]There are only seven performers in WWT's "Grand Night," but each one sang eloquently opening night Wednesday, perhaps even their best. It occurred to me, during the show, that if the WWT ever wanted to do a fundraiser for the theater, these seven could lend their voices to a CD and it would sell very well.
The show opens up with a medley of songs performed by the entire cast. From there, cast members take turns with the songs. Sometimes it's a solo or a duet, for some songs it's three, four or all members on a song.
Adrian Aguilar, who audiences unfortunately have not gotten to see this summer until this production, showcases his vocal talent in "Grand Night." He gets to do a few solos, duets and trios. I found myself reminded of Josh Groban, though less operatic. My favorite numbers involving Aguilar include "Honey Bun" and "My Little Girl."
There's also some dancing throughout the show, and while the entire cast nails it, Aguilar had the best moves. He's one to watch, but I've said that about him the past couple of seasons, too. However, in "Grand Night," he seems to have only gotten far, far better.
Also doing his best singing in "Grand Night" was Michael Vangemert. He's been in every show this season in a supporting role if not the lead role, but he shows off his musical talent best in "Grand Night." I especially loved his rendition of "This Nearly Was Mine" from "South Pacific."
Vangemert is a really nice guy, and sometimes I tend to be hard on him with his performances in my reviews, but with "Grand Night," I wasn't disappointed. He looked like he was having the best time on stage, with not a worry in the world. He also had some of the best comedic moments of the show.
He gets an A+ for opening night in my grade book.
The third and final male actor for "Grand Night" is Jason Weitkamp, a well-known WWT actor. When I think of character actors who have performed on the WWT stage, Weitkamp comes to mind. But he's easily enjoyable performing musicals. My favorite Weitkamp solo Wednesday was "Love, Look Away," from "Flower Drum Song." It almost was heartbreaking, but beautiful, the way he sang it.
Now as for the four lovely ladies in "Grand Night," just call me an adoring fan. Each one has their strengths, but I'd be happy to listen to any one of them sing all night.
A few years ago, I had the pleasure of seeing "South Pacific" at the Wagon Wheel. Starring in a female lead role was the ever-delightful Jennifer Dow. I haven't forgotten her since.
In "Grand Night," she, along with the other ladies, perform a shortened version of "I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Out-a My Hair" from "South Pacific." They turn the number - to quote Dow herself after the show in the zoo line - into an "Andrews Sister" kind of number. It's a little jazzed up, very sexy, different from the "South Pacific" show a few years ago, but I liked it.
I also was entertained by Dow's performance of "It's Me" from "Me and Juliet." She was joined on stage for some dancing by Aguilar and Vangemert, but it was all her number.
The best number for Erin Rinke-Vangemert was her first solo of the show in Act I, "Do I Love You Because You're Beautiful." She's also good with her husband on the number "Shall We Dance?"
Jennie Sophia can act, as audiences who saw the play "Picnic" will remember. As "Grand Night" reminds audiences, she can sing just as divinely. She has the kind of voice that could sing angels to sleep, or stir the hearts of man to end a war. (Ok, I'm exaggerating to the millionth degree, but you get my point. I love to hear her sing.)
Sophia is probably the best female actress on the WWT stage this year to do duets with in a show. But when she goes solo, she's also lovely, as the number "It Might As Well Be Spring" in "Grand Night" proves.
Last, but certainly not least, is the stunning Anna Ahlborn. Ahlborn, to my ears, has that Judy Garland-let's do some cabaret-Broadway star kind of voice.
I could see her really belting out some Billie Holiday, Etta James, Garland, Liza Minnelli, etc. numbers for her own one-woman musical show. She'd stand at the end of a piano as her accompanist plays along. The lights would be dim, audiences drinking their cocktails, absorbing every note that graced their ears. Her long black dress sparkles from the occasional reflection of light. She'd smile inbetween songs, making everyone watching and listening to her feel at ease.
That's the vibe I got from her when I listened to her sing Wednesday night. That's the way she makes me feel.
I won't pick a best song for her from "Grand Night" because that's too tough of a call.
And the best thing about the whole "Grand Night For Singing"? I left the Wagon Wheel feeling better than when I went in.
That makes for a good show.
My rating of the show (out of four): 3.25.
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