Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered

Rodgers and Hart are always worthy of a celebration, and Tim McArthur has devised and directed a nice, safe evening, which covers thirty-five songs in just over ninety minutes, including an intermission.  This is accomplished by moving from song to song, without any narrative.

There’s nothing about the show that is either electrifying or objectionable, but, for me, this made the evening, overall, a bit lacklustre.  The show finds five good singers (Laura Armstrong, Stephen Ashfield, Valerie Cutko, Katie Kerr and McArthur) in a 1930s setting, singing songs, but not really re-interpreting them.  From a cabaret perspective, McArthur and his Musical Director, David Harvey, could have taken more risks to give the show some edge.

There are some highlights worth mentioning.  Ms. Kerr sang the first song in the show—which really kicked things into gear—a rousing version of “Way Out West.”  Ms. Armstrong provided a very cute rendition of “To Keep My Love Alive.”  The entire company’s harmonies on the “Quiet Night”/“Where or When” medley were really beautiful.  Mr. Ashfield provided the best voice of the night.  However, the best song by far, was Ms. Cutko’s simple and very moving “My Romance,” in which her emotional connection shone.

Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered continues at Jermyn Street Theatre through August 13.

Harold Sanditen
Cabaret Scenes
July 28,, 2011
www.cabaretscenes.org