By Laura Kennelly
Smokey Joe’s Cafe celebrates music and dance in an unstoppably fun way at Cain Park’s Alma Theatre in the current review slated to run until 6/30. Last Friday’s opening of the show, directed by Scott Plate, ended with a cross-generational standing ovation. It’s a perfect summer show, light and refreshing (unless you are one of the dancers who seemed to never stop moving–whew, they must be in terrific shape–but they kept right on smiling nevertheless).
The talented nine-actor ensemble tore tunefully into dozens of songs by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, the guys who rocked the 1950s pop culture: think “Love Potion #9,” “On Broadway,” “Spanish Harlem,” and “Stand by Me” and more. To show off these classics, choreographer Gregory Daniels provided just the right touch with a varied (and often fast-paced) series of dances tailored to show off the attractive cast.
There’s no story to slow down the music, but then, the music “is” the story. In one scene, for example, a rousing and fierce rendition of “I Am Woman” featuring the four female cast members (Nicole Sumlin, Nyla Watson, Katherine DeBoer, and Julia Rose Hines) reminded us that women can stand up for themselves and still be funny and alluring. The super-talented DeBoer, whom I last saw as a deeply disturbed woman in “Next to Normal,” was completely different here: all lovely voice and sassy attitude, especially in her solo numbers.
And as for the men? Wonderful. Ellis Dawson, Darryl Lewis, Eugene Sumlin, and Malik Victorian showed the smooth power possible with pop quartet (a la, for example, The Drifters) with several offerings; stand-out numbers included “Loving You” and “There Goes My Baby.” The fifth male, charismatic Kelly Autry, evoked memories of bad boy rebel Elvis, especially in the big number for “Jailhouse Rock,” one that featured him writhing, bound in handcuffs above the dancing inmates. (Note: that doesn’t mean this isn’t a family-friendly show. It certainly is.)
Everyone dances almost all the time. Standouts include Hines, who can shimmy like nobody else, and Victorian, a master of quick change and quicker moves. He’s fellow who seems born to dance, a fact made clear in “Shoppin for Clothes,” a hilarious spoof that involved Victorian as a hapless shopper faced with three mannequins in white face masks.
Music director Nathan Motta kept the period sound real and costume designer Tesia Dugan Benson created outfits that looked right out of the ‘50s.
Last Word: Smokey Joe’s? A visit is recommended. Perfect way to celebrate summer and put big smiles on faces. If you liked “Jersey Boys” (or even if you didn’t) you’re especially likely to love this blast from the past.
Smokey Joe’s Cafe plays Thursday-Saturday at 7 pm and Sundays at 2 pm. For tickets go to ticketmaster.com or call 216-371-3000. More information about ordering can be found at cainpark.com/tickets.