Cole!
Cole! By Benny Green and Alan Strachan
Music and Lyrics by Cole Porter
Directed and Choreographed by Earl Weaver
Musical Direction and accompaniment by Jason Whitehead</strong>
While Cole Porter started his career in the Jazz Age, today we think of him as more of a lounge composer. Tonight’s elegant New York penthouse set emphasizes the glitz of Martinis and sequined dresses, and it’s a nearly all female cast on stage belting out the Porter sound. Music flows from Jason Whitehead on the grand piano, and there’s enough choreography to keep things flowing a bit faster than a standard cabaret. The repertor leans towards Porter’s lesser songs, although standards like “Anything Goes” (Molly Busby and company) and “It’s De-Lovely” (Rebecca Galarza) highlighted the evening. Out of the lesser lights, “Lost Liberty Blues” (Lindsay Clemmons), “The Physician” (Danielle Spisso,) and “Find Me A Primitive Man” (Brooke Deacon) were noteworthy in this outstanding cast. Brent Wakelin plays Mr. Porter, and while his biographical monologues felt intrusive, he really had the best numbers and did the best job with them. His rich voice and professional projection put “Night and Day” and “You’ve Got That Thing” up in lights. If only the magenta back light on his solos didn’t make his hair look dyed pink…
“Cole!” is the sort of light entertainment that perfect for the sweltering summer heat of Central Florida. There’s plenty of seats, ice cold air conditioning, and even a helpful student golf cart to run you from your car to the box office. Dress up a bit and put on a clean Hawaiian shirt and your best flip flops to feel properly dressed, but I’m sorry to report you’ll need to stop somewhere else for your mandatory Gin Martini.
For more information on UCF Conservatory Theatre, visit http://www.theatre.ucf.edu</a</em>>
