Pittsburgh Playhouse’s ‘Jerry’s Girls’ is an old-fashioned good time
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There has been a lot of serious theater with something to say around town of late, which is fantastic. Art is supposed to open up new doors for us and challenge our assumptions. But sometimes, it’s also good to just have some fun.
Point Park’s Pittsburgh Playhouse is infusing the winter cold with a little bit of sunshine with the revue “Jerry’s Girls.” The show is based on the music of composer Jerry Herman, who penned some of the most classic tunes and shows in Broadway history. The first large-scale performance of the revue — starring such huge names as Carol Channing and Leslie Uggams — occurred in 1984. With such a stellar cast of female singers, it’s no surprise that Pittsburgh Playhouse decided to revive this classic.
“Jerry’s Girls” showcases songs from shows including “Mame,” “Hello, Dolly!” and “La Cage Aux Folles” (a late addition, since it premiered on Broadway after the very first run of the show). With an eye on keeping things even-keeled, the songs were mixed and arranged in ways that paired funny, farcical moments with heartbreaking ballads. With old-fashioned backdrops and stage lights, as well as an array of glitzy costumes, the show fulfills any cabaret lover’s dream.
The ensemble takes the stage to set the tone with the opening song, and from then forward the audience gets to see a wide variety of show tunes (including one literally called “Showtune,”), from solos to duets to more ensemble pieces. And there wasn’t a weak soloist in the bunch, though several stood out as exceptional. Each singer gets the opportunity to belt out several songs in a range of emotional tones, which serves as a great showcase for what these ladies can do.
For example, Jamey Meske stunned at Wednesday night’s opening performance, bookending the show with “It Only Takes A Moment” from “Hello, Dolly!” and “I Am What I Am” from “La Cage Aux Folles.” But in between, she did a dead-on Carol Channing impression singing “Hello, Lyndon!” (a version of “Hello, Dolly!” that was performed at the 1964 Democratic National Convention).
Near the end of the first act, Drew Dela Llana delivered another of the biggest emotional punches of the evening, a lush and lovely rendition of “If He Walked Into My Life” from “Mame.” And revealing a lot of range, she also gave a little bit of old-school showmanship (showwomanship?) in “Two-A-Day” from “Parade.”
The well-known song “Wherever He Ain’t” from the musical “Mack and Mabel” got a super-fun and powerful sendup from Charlotte Jensen, and she was also terrific collaborating with Jessica Carmona on “Bosom Buddies” from “Mame,” one of the few opportunities to make spoken jokes and draw some belly laughs from the crowd.
The bigger numbers were full of fantastic choreography and energy, from “Tap Your Troubles Away” from “Mack and Mabel” to “Just Go To The Movies” and its reprise. The costume changes were also essential to the old-school glamour of “Jerry’s Girls,” and costume designer Claudia Brownlee pulled out all the stops, from glittering gowns to slinky, showy dresses. Lighting designer Nathan Phillips also set the perfect mood for each number, from blue spotlights at sadder moments to big, bright lights for the final uplifting song, “The Best of Times” from “La Cage Aux Folles.” That was in conjunction with scenic and projection designer Emmaline Naud.
In the end, this is a song-and-dance show. The songs were provided by music director Deana Muro and a team of dedicated musicians, who sat in a pit surrounded by the stage and provided a number of unique instrumentations that were reminiscent of Vaudeville. The dance was provided by choreographer Kristiann Menotiades, and it used every inch of the four-sided stage and double staircase to deliver razzle-dazzle dance — especially tap dancing — to the audience.
And director Daina Michelle Griffith brought the best out of every performer, sharpening what are clearly fantastic dramatic instincts and giving the audience exactly what it wants with each number.
This is a great time to just hear some of the best songs the genre has to offer and let the show tunes uplift our spirits. Plus, it’s fantastic to see what the next generation of onstage talent has in store — they’re going to tap their way to greatness.
“Jerry’s Girls” will run at Pittsburgh Playhouse through Feb. 23. To get tickets, visit playhouse.pointpark.edu.