Rob and Laura (no, not Petrie)—namely Rob Dorn and Laura Freeman cavort through an entertaining evening of solos and duets associated with Judy Garland.  Both Dorn and Freeman have the expansive vocal ranges that find bounce in comedies and vulnerability in ballads.  Duets is not only musically fine, it delivers twentieth century musical film history in a highly palatable manner.  Think about Judy’s duet partners:  There’s Judy and Mickey, exploring puppy love  “In Between”  and adult romantic tension in Rodgers and Hart’s “I Wish I Were In Love Again.” Dorn and Freeman convey how we all would rather be “gaga” even in that relationship with the flying plates than serenely alone. Then there’s Judy and Gene (Kelly, that is) partnering through “For Me and My Gal.”  Judy and Fred (Astaire, that is) skate, ride and warble up the avenue with aplomb.  Solos are lovely and present the ballad opportunities most effectively.  Typically bubbly Freeman finds honest pathos in “The Man that Got Away.”  A particularly interesting number portrays the memorable duet between Garland and Barbra Streisand from Judy’s television variety show.  Dorn and Freeman have this pairing of two signature songs, Garland’s “Get Happy” and Streisand’s Happy Days ARe Here AGAin" down, even to the well-timed hand clasps.

Carla Gordon
Cabaret Scenes
August 16, 2009
www.cabaretscenes.org