A Life in the Theatre
A Life in the Theatre
Starring Roy Alan
Musical Direction by Chris Leavy
Spotlight Cabaret Series,
Winter Park Playhouse, Winter Park FL</strong>
Well, they’ve finally done it. Every regular at the Winter Park Playhouse has done a cabaret except the Development Director. Tonight it was Roy Alan’s turn, he appear not in the expected top hat and tails but rather a conservative shirt and saddle shoes. They did give him a little plywood tap stage, and that made up for any downscaling of the elegance. Tonight’s theme was Mr. Alan’s charmed theater career – dance lesson at 4, gainful employment by the age of 8 and offer of a union card shortly thereafter. He then stage managed and was a swing dancer (the stand in for dancers) with a couple of big touring shows, hung out with all the big names back stage, and a curious turn of events brought him down to Central Florida and were glad he came. Despite his hippy head shots there were back stage stories, tales of luck and daring-do, and more tap then I’ve ever seen in a cabaret before. “Putting on the Ritz” came early, and he held back from hair-lipping the chorus. “Never Never Land” from Peter Pan, “Watching the River” run from Loggins and Messina, an Anthony Newly torch song, and best of all, a flirty “Lydia, Oh Lydia” from Groucho filled the bill. The dancing was hard to see but sounded great, the highlight here was an abbreviated “Aggie Tap” sequence for “Best Little Whorehouse” and a full out “Pirate King” from Penzance drew ovations. With the new shorter intermission free format, an encore is required and Mr. Alan went out with a nicely mimed “Slap That base.” Afterwards, no one really zoomed home. Lisa, it’s your turn next.
For more information on Winter Park Playhouse, please visit http://www.winterparkplayhouse.org
