Drayton Entertainment has succeeded in compiling 20 years of popular songs into one performance in its latest installment of the Legends series.
Number seven in the series, Legends of Rock and Roll, debuted at the Dunfield Theatre Cambridge on July 22.
A simpler world existed between 1950 and 1970 but the music of that era changed the world profoundly. Legends of Rock and Roll, the brainchild of Drayton Entertainment’s artistic director Alex Mustakas, revisits songs of some of the greatest musicians of that time period and reflects on changes in the world through a series of videos.
The show focused on fictitious TV host Roy Solomon, who is signing off the air after 20 years and 1,000 shows at SBC Studios from 1955 to 1975. Host of the final show, the confident and smooth talking Sheldon Lubliner, played by Michael DeRose, kept the audience entertained with his wit and humour.
Lubliner’s costume changes and the easy manner in which he involved the audience kept everyone attentive. Lubliner`s portrayal of a Canadian Mountie riding his horse had patrons laughing and cheering.
Two television screens mounted on each side of the stage showed television commercials of the era with Wrigley’s gum and Fruit of the Loom undergarments featured. Historical moments that made News headlines complimented songs performed.
Tina Turner's Proud Mary opened the show, with Aurianna Angelique dazzling the audience with her musical talents. Other musicians’ songs in the first act included Fats Domino, Chubby Checker, Nancy Sinatra, The Four Seasons and Petula Clark. The Temptations, The Mamas and the Papas, Janis Joplin, Elton John and Aretha Franklin rounded out act two.
Angelique continued to delight the audience with her strong voice in Dusty Springfield’s Son of a Preacher Man and Cilla Black’s, You’re My World. Michael Clarke fell into the role of Stevie Wonder and Ray Charles with ease as he sang Superstition and What’d I Say. Gerrad Everard entertained the audience with his eye and lip movements and flopping long hair in Paint It, Black by the Rolling Stones. In a duet with Lee Siegel, Everard’s more serious side shone through.
The vocal talents of Siegel amazed the audience with the performance of the evening: Simon and Garfunkel’s Bridge Over Troubled Water. Siegel also perfected Roy Orbison’s Pretty Woman.
The band, consisting of music director Brigham Phillips, Howard Gaul, Duncan Grant, Mark Laidman and David Thompson, played an excellent tribute to the music of the 50s, 60s and 70s.
Director Alex Mustakas and assistant director/choreographer Gino Berti kept the two jam-packed acts flowing smoothly during each song and medley.
Costume designer Jenine Kroeplin and the wardrobe department deserve a round of applause for the uniqueness of the costumes and their relevance to the time period surrounding the music. Costumes were made up of poodle and mini skirts, sleek white suits, jumpsuits and suede vests with fringes.
Accent articles were scarves, black boots, black high top running shoes and black rimmed glasses held together with white tape. Thousands of sequins adorned the clothing. Hair styles ranged from the short, clean cut guy-next-door look to long waist-length hippie hair.
Props were simple and suited to a studio and the era represented. Plenty of flower power and sparkles adorned the set.
Congratulations to all those who diligently work behind the scenes in various positions.
A patron exiting the show, was overheard stating “I could watch that over and over again” – which accurately sums up the show in a few simple words.
Legends of Rock and Roll is suited to all ages and music lovers of the 50s, 60s and 70s. The show gives patrons a chance to reminisce about where one was or what one was doing when each individual song hit the music charts. It’s a time to sing along, laugh, cheer, clap and share memories.
Legends of Rock and Roll is on stage at the Dunfield Theatre in Cambridge until Aug. 7.
Tickets are $44 for adults and $26 for youths under 20 and are available by calling the box office at 519-621-8000 or 1-855-372-9866, or by visiting draytonentertainment.com.
