It wasn’t much of an excavation to dig back into last year as part of the double-barreled salute in the latest in the Broadway by the Year series, but the opportunity resulted in a rousing closing number, “Best Day Ever” from the still-running “SpongeBob SquarePants,” fueled by dancer-choreographer Danny Gardner and the Broadway by the Year Dance Ensemble tapping away en mass and having fun toying with an array of sponges and earning a rousing audience response to the dynamic finish.
Such was the parting spirit in the salute to shows from 1988 and 2017 in the presentation by The Town Hall last night (June 18, 2018), created, directed, written and hosted by Scott Siegel, with back up accompaniment by musical director Ross Patterson, also on piano, Tom Hubbard on bass and Eric Halvorson on drums. The musicians got a hefty workout with the wide range of numbers and styles plucked from both years.
Excellent singers interpreted the chosen songs. The first act, devoted to 1988, was kicked off (literally) by Gardner and the Dance Ensemble to “When I Get My Name in Lights” from the musical “Legs Diamond.” Another number from that show, “All I Wanted Was the Dream,” was also performed by Gardner.
The flop “Carrie” nevertheless yielded a strong song, “I’m Not Alone,” passionately performed by Farah Alvin. The other shows generously represented were “Phantom of the Opera” and the more esoteric “Chess.”
Brian Charles Rooney and Marina Jurica effectively teamed for the title number from “Phantom.” Jurica returned to sing that show’s moving “Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again,” and Rooney showed his range performing “The Music of the Night” from “Phantom.” Siegel made the amusing point that the 1988 show couldn’t be billed a revival, as it never left and is still in its record-breaking run.
“Chess” has become something of a cult favorite. Alvin and Rebecca Faulkenberry helped demonstrate why with “I Know Him So Well,” Rooney contributed “Pity the Child,” and Alvin and the Broadway By the Year Chorus delved dramatically into “Nobody’s Side.” The topper from “Chess” was favorite William Michals singing “Anthem” without a mike, exhibiting his all-powerful voice and interpretive skill.
The evening morphed into a more contemporary second act devoted to shows from last year. “Prince of Broadway,” a show saluting producer-director Hal Prince and featuring songs from productions with which he was involved, yielded two numbers—“Tonight,” culled from “West Side Story” and sung romantically by Jurica and Rooney, and “Kiss of the Spider Woman,” sung brilliantly by Michals.
Faulkenberry sang “Love Will Come and Find Me Again” from “Bandstand;” Jurica and the Chorus performed “Journey to the Past” from “Anastasia;” Rooney provided an impish “It Must Be Believed to Be Seen” from “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory;” Faulkenberry interpreted “Playing Nancy” from “Groundhog Day,” and Alvin sang the rousing “Me and the Sky” from “Come from Away.” There was special tenderness by Matt Weinstein, backed by the Chorus, performing the lovely “Answer Me” from the award-winning “The Band’s Visit.”
The members of the Chorus and Dance Ensemble merit individual recognition. The Chorus included Emma Camp, Lauren Kolas, Philippa Lynas, Ryan McConville, Sophie Rapiejko and Matt Weinstein.
The Dance Ensemble included, Danielle Aliotta, Emily Blake Anderson, Mandie Black, Matthew Borchers, Jake Corcoran, Tessa Grady, Bryan Hunt, Lily Lewis, Sarah Lichty, Claire Logan, Andrew Metzgar, Corrine Munsch, Daniel Plimpton, Kristyn Pope, Emilie Renier, Joseph Sammour, Michael Santora, Britte Steele, Peter Surace and Michael J. Verre.
Other credits for the show: Holly Cruz, staging consultant; Carl Acampora, stage manager; Rick Hinkson, assistant director and assistant stage manager, and Joe Burke, production assistant.
At The Town Hall, 123 West 43rd Street. Reviewed June 19, 2018.