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Singers pay tribute
By John Berger
to musicals’ best
Special to the Star-BulletinTHE opening number was an embarrassment last night, but The Company Singers survived it with aplomb and went on to make "An Evening With Rodgers & Hammerstein" well worth a journey through the Manoa rain.
The group's three-night debut engagement continues tonight and tomorrow at Manoa Valley Theatre.
The program features hits from Rodgers & Hammerstein shows -- "Carousel," "The Sound of Music," "Oklahoma," "The King and I," "South Pacific" and " -- presented in a recital-style format.
The singers and musicians perform in formal attire; sheet music on music stands is available for their reference. The dramatic impact of each selection hinges in considerable part on the ability of the singers to project clearly without benefit of microphone over Emmett Yoshioka's piano and to do so without relying too obviously on the sheet music.
Mary Gutzi and Guy Merola got things fully on track and up to speed with their first duet, "We Kiss in a Shadow," from "The King and I," early in Act I. They capped Act II in similar style with "People Will Say We're in Love" from "Oklahoma."
"An Evening with Rodgers & Hammerstein": Songs from America's favorite musicals, performed by The Company Singers at Manoa Valley Theatre, 2833 E. Manoa Road. Repeats 7:30 p.m. today and tomorrow. Tickets $15 general, $13 for MVT season ticket holders. Call 988-6131.
Gutzi and Merola didn't just sing the songs well. They also conveyed the emotion written into the lyrics while suggesting the chemistry between the characters.
Gutzi contributed spirited and well-acted solo renditions of "Carousel's" "Carrie and Mr. Snow" and "The Sound of Music" as well. Merola's solo take on "Carousel's" "If I Loved You" was also a highlight.
Stephanie Conching combines the right measure of spunky optimism to an appealing characterization in "A Wonderful Guy." Conching's performance leaves no doubt that the next time any local theater group does "South Pacific," she'll be an obvious pick as Nellie Forbush.
Other notable numbers include Annie MacLachlan's featured spot with the ensemble in "Out of My Dreams" and Nanilisa Pascua's solo showcase rendition of "My Favorite Things" from "The Sound of Music."
The group -- Conching, Gutzi, MacLachlan, Merola, Pascua, group founder Chuck Anctil and Gordon Ing -- gives its best ensemble performance with "Do-Re-Mi." The arrangement is an interesting one and utilizes the melodic textures of Yoshioka's piano as well as those of the voices.
The Company Singers are scheduled to return to MVT with a new show at the end of May. Anyone who appreciates the classic pop music of Broadway will want to make their acquaintance in time to enjoy this show as well as the next one.
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