T. Michele Walker, Correspondent
Returning to the theater after a 12 months of Covid-forced shutdowns and listening to performers singing in entrance of you triggers a visceral response, the form of goosebumps and bodily chills that remind you nothing can take the place of reside efficiency.
That’s the expertise of attending “Three Pianos,” the unique cabaret present that opened at Florida Studio Theatre’s Gompertz Theatre Friday evening.
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The “three pianists” are Nygel D. Robinson, Michael Maricondi and Madalyn McHugh who have fun the musical pioneers who refused to suit the mould of “rock star” and cast their very own paths within the business.
“Three Pianos” focuses on pop music created by the ladies and men who play piano, sing and compose. It options such classics as “You Are the Sunshine of My Life,” and “Sir Duke” by Stevie Marvel, “Crocodile Rock” by Elton John, “What’d I Say” and “Georgia” by Ray Charles and “I Really feel the Earth Transfer” and “Stunning” by Carole King. The present was the primary cabaret challenge launched after the coronavirus shutdown by FST employees members Rebecca Hopkins, Richard Hopkins and Sarah Durham, with preparations by Jim Prosser and Scott Michaelsen.
With marvelous path by Richard Hopkins, the performers embrace their time inu the highlight
Robinson is a wonderful musician with a luxurious, easy texture to his voice and a seemingly easy type that pulls you in to every track. Maricondi is a dynamo, wearing crimson with a flash of crimson socks, overlaying each inch of the stage within the show-stopping “Bohemian Rhapsody.” His diction is impeccable, proving that one can have good diction and nonetheless have an incredible pop type. McHugh was born to sing Carole King, and is at her most interesting when performing hits “One High-quality Day” and “(You Make Me Really feel Like) A Pure Lady.”
Whereas they’re every high quality musicians with a powerful vocal and stylistic vary, it’s clear that the performers’ major “instrument” will not be the piano, however their voices. And the present’s power will not be the instrumentals. With a present as pleasant as this, it’s a small level however one price noting that maybe the present is misnamed as a result of “Three Pianos” suggests a program alongside the traces of Ferrante and Teicher or Anderson and Roe in live performance. Nevertheless, the present is a pleasure and viewers members stood a number of instances through the efficiency in real appreciation.
Whereas the banter might use some tweaking to make it a bit much less contrived, the music is such a pleasure it doesn’t appear to matter. With a lot uncooked expertise on stage, spotless mix, and high quality musicianship, one can simply overlook such small flaws.
Whereas the lighting design by Nick Jones and Scenic Design by Bruce Value is pretty Thomas Korp’s projections are hit and miss.
For its two present cabaret reveals (Carole J. Bufford’s “Vintage POP!” is in the Keating Theatre), Florida Studio Theatre is utilizing its bigger mainstage efficiency areas as an alternative of the same old cabaret areas.
Though the theater wasn’t stuffed, it was technically “bought out” on account of social distancing, which might make the house appear reasonably empty. However Friday’s crowd was appreciative, loud and supportive, offering the sensation of a packed home. What a joyousilled solution to welcome reside theater again to Sarasota.
‘Three Pianos’
Created by Rebecca Hopkins, Richard Hopkins and Sarah Durham. Musical preparations by Jim Prosser. Reviewed April 2. By means of Might 2. Florida Studio Theatre Gompertz Theatre, 1247 First St., Sarasota. 941-366-9000; floridastudiotheatre.org
Extra:Read more arts stories and reviews by T. Michele Walker
