BROADWAY COMES TO LOS FELIZ
by Peter Foldy
It was a full house last night at the Rockwell Table & Stage in Los Feliz when An Evening of Classic Broadway
returned to the popular venue.
Talented Musical Director, Brad Ellis opened the show with “I Love a Piano” and set the pace for a fast moving night of song.
All the cast members put their hearts into their performances and picked tunes that connected with themselves as well as the audience.
Louise Marie Cornillez, Savannah Leigh and Kelly Lester each brought something special and unique to the evening but as in all shows, some artist stood
out more than other.
For me, Joanne O’Brian’s Julie Andrews homage was a great early number of the night and this medley was an impressive vehicle for Ms. O’Brian. Looking a bit like Julie Andrews, O’Brian sang her heart out on classic melodies such as The Sound of Music,” “A Spoon Full of Sugar” and “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.”
O’Brian later returned with a beautiful rendition of “Don’t Cry For Me Argentina” from the show, “Evita,” another triumph.
Will Collyer charmed us with a sweet, heart-felt version of Lerner and Loewe’s “On The Street Where You Live” from My Fair Lady. A gifted singer with a solid voice, Collyer has a relaxed style and seemed very much at ease on the Rockwell stage.
Jeffrey Polk nailed “Heaven On Their Minds” from Jesus Christ Superstar, a
show that he has understudied for eight times, and never once got to perform. After hearing him sing last night, one can only wonder way. But perhaps the highlight of last nights Classic Broadway performance was Alex Newell. A cast member of the TV show, “Glee,” Newell killed with his two selections. “Big Blond and Beautiful” from “Hairspray” was powerful and inspiring but it was his “I’m Telling You I’m Not Going” from Dreamgirls” that earned him loud cheers and huge applause from the enthusiastic audience.
Produced by Dianne Fraser for the Fraser Entertainment Group, their other shows have included Starr Quality, Actors Fund Benefit and the Words and Music of Stephen Schwartz.
Another night of Classic Broadway will return to the Rockwell on June 16, 2015.
If yesterday evening is any indication, that show, with a brand new cast will also be well worth checking out.
Learn more about Fraser Entertainment Group at www.fraserentertainmentgroup.com
Rockwell Table & Stage is located at 1714 N. Vermont Ave. in Los Angeles, CA 90027.
For tickets and additional information: http://rockwell-la.inticketing.com/events/496559/an-evening-of-classic-broadway/
