With its own official website and productions worldwide, this musical revue that celebrates the works of Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller has a blue-ribbon pedigree. In the 1950s and early '60s, their work for the likes of Elvis, the Drifters, and the Coasters was notable for the sheer volume of songs produced and the number of hits they generated. With that in mind, Fullerton Civic Light Opera has gathered nine terrific singers and a premium café band to re-create the sizzle and doo-wop of those golden days.
The girls (Sandra Allen, Destiny Lofton, Kelli Provart, Nikkema Taylor) and the guys (Lawrence Cummings, Eugene Barry Hill, Ron Kellum, Mark A. Provart, Dominic Rambaran) join forces at the beginning with a peppy "Neighborhood." From then on, the duos, solos, and collaborative numbers showcase the talents of the ensemble in standards such as "Kansas City," "Yakety Yak," "Hound Dog," and "Stand by Me."
Directed and choreographed by multitalented Sha Newman, the production is a clever combination of fancy footwork, close harmonies, and animated acting that energetically sells the songs. Along with music director-conductor Grant Rohr, Newman energizes the company and makes it all look like fun.
Crowd-pleasers abound: sexy vamp Allen helping Mark Provart in "Teach Me How to Shimmy"; Cummings "Shoppin' for Clothes," with Rambaran clerking and three dancing suits; Kelli Provart's throaty country "Keep Forgettin' "; and Lofton's feather-boa-enhanced "Don Juan."
Yolanda Rowell's costumes shine, as the ensemble repeatedly retreats and reappears in flashy outfits reminiscent of the rock 'n' roll era. Evan Shirk's lighting design, complete with mirror ball, punches up Terry Hanrahan's set, with its striking colored panels. A.J. Gonzalez's sound design complements the band and singers.
The kinetic energy produced by this group could light a stadium. From first song to last, their impressive performances make this well worth the ticket price.
Presented by Fullerton Civic Light Opera at Plummer Auditorium,
201 E. Chapman Ave., Fullerton.
Thu.-Sat. 8 p.m, Sun. 2 p.m. (Also Sun. 7 p.m. Jul. 22 and Sat. 2 p.m. Jul. 28.) Jul. 13-29.
(714) 879-1732. www.fclo.com.