Review of the Revue

You know those shows that just make you happy? This is one of those shows.

For their 2011 Summer Show, New Rep has collected a startlingly talented group of performers, and given them a long list of some of the catchiest songs you've ever heard. At intermission, we heard milling audience members humming the tunes in the lobby, at the snack bar, and even in the bathroom!

If you're looking for plot, or deep emotional upheaval, this ain't it. But if you want a fun, frisky night out, you couldn't do better than the award-winning musical revue of Kander & Ebb tunes, "The World Goes 'Round," done with classic New Rep panache.

The cast features several New Rep favorites, including the talented and versatile Leigh Barrett and Aimee Doherty. Barrett and Doherty's duet of "Class," from "Chicago," is a comedic highlight of the show. Shannon Lee Jones rounds out the production with a jazzy, breezy Broadway style (and how did she fit into that stunning black jumper at the end of Act 1?). Two terrific male performers complete the set, both of whom have graced New Rep stages before. De'Lon Grant, recently seen in "Passing Strange," is funny and poignant by turns, and demonstrates some astonishing upper body strength in "Arthur in the Afternoon." David Costa shows off some fancy dance moves throughout, especially shining in "Sara Lee."

The cast rarely all congregate; rather, this show is a venue for each performer to shine, mostly individually, although the duets and overlapped songs were some of my favorite parts. The format also showcases acting as well as singing talent; each song creates a character, and a particular situation, that the actors make immediately apparent. If there was a weak link in the cast, we couldn't spot it.

Ditto for the production values; direction, music, choreography, lighting, set, props, and costumes all worked together beautifully. Three cheers also for the band, who are playing almost continuously, without missing a beat. We especially appreciated the flautist, whose name unfortunately does not appear in the program, but whose talents were much in demand in nearly every song. Kander and Ebb apparently appreciated woodwind emphasis to evoke all kinds of moods.

While we've long loved their shows, we knew little about these composers before last night. We're grateful to New Rep for showcasing their collective creative genius in a show that left a smile on the face of everyone there. Great fun!

~ Shauna Shames & Johanna Ettin