Musical revue a Mother Road of amusement
By Erich Murphy
Pontiac Daily Leader
Thu Aug 06, 2009, 12:05 PM CDT
Roger Bean has put together a musical revue centered on the most famous highway in the United States. The Vermillion Players are bringing this extravaganza to the Chautauqua Park stage with the enthusiasm that can hardly be matched.
Directed by Bob McKenzie, “Route 66: A Musical Revue” opens tonight and will run through Sunday. The curtain rises each evening at 7:30.
For those who really enjoy the music of the 1950s, ’60s and ’70s, this production will be a winner. It appeared to be for the group taking in the show Wednesday.
The younger set may not recognize many of the tunes in this revue that traverses Route 66 from Chicago to Los Angeles. The opening number, like gasoline, got the show off to a roaring start. The foursome of John Ramseyer, Jason Williams, Anthony Gullo and Sean Young were the men who wore the star, the Texaco star, in belting out the “Texaco Star Theme.”
The revue starts in Chicago and moves on to other locations along the famous road. The scenes are named for stops along the way. The stops come from the “Route 66” song, most recently made known to kids in the movie “Cars.”
The basic theme is traveling. Most of the songs deal with this in many forms. There is the Texaco theme, songs about cars and trucks, and songs about what can be seen along the journey.
Along the way, the audience is treated to listening to period commercials. These pieces are played during scene changes and give the audience an impression of listening to the radio.
What truly makes this a successful production is the wealth of young talent. The Vermillion Players appear to be headed for a long run of success thanks in large part to the talent being groomed by the veterans.
Williams, a newcomer to the Chautauqua stage, showed a flare for tap dancing and a talent for singing. The Ottawan had a couple of tap solos and played to the crowd well with his partners — Ramseyer, Gullo and Young.
Gullo had some solo singing efforts that were impressive.
Ramseyer and Young are the veterans of the younger set. Their presence was solid and their acting was delightful.
Ramseyer and Young were in a scene with veteran Elaine Krupka that was a riot. This was in Flagstaff, Ariz., and the song was “Diesel On My Tail.”
Krupka provides another solid foundation with her ability to go from one character to another.
Another song dealing with driving was “Beep, Beep.” This scene, which takes place in Joplin, Mo., featured the talents of Ramseyer, Young and Gullo. This had the audience roaring with laughter. It wasn’t the song, it was the acting that made this funny.
Not to be outdone, veterans McKenzie, Denny Read and Tom Ramseyer were solid as they served as mentors for Zack Ellis in a number of scenes.
At the conclusion of the dress rehearsal, McKenzie made it a point to acknowledge choreographer Anita Nangle and her daughter, Becky.
The dancing is the perfect complement to the singing. Hoofers Becky Nangle, Brianna Gill, Amy Thies, Abby Tronc, Abby Newcomb, Michelle Thies and Kate Whitman were as solid and entertaining as the singers.
John Gahm produced “Route 66: A Musical Revue.” Juli Fraher and Gahm handled the set design. Illinois Valley Cellular presents the production in conjunction with Pontiac Tourism and the Vermillion Players, Inc.
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