One garden that never welcomes rain is Annapolis Summer Garden - the outdoor theater across from City Dock where a downpour postponed last Friday's seating. Overhead lights had to be repaired "big-top" fashion by a technician working from a catwalk 20 feet above the audience. And about a half-hour into Smokey Joe's Cafe, a 15-minute timeout was called until the rain subsided and audience members could return to their seats.
Theatergoing optimists who ignored the rain forecast and endured storm delays were amply rewarded by a cast of troupers who gave 100 percent despite a less-than-ideal performance environment.
Smokey is a revue celebrating the songs of Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller. It arrived on Broadway in 1995, where it found an appreciative audience that didn't ask for more than a nostalgic concert of the '50s songs of their youth. This ASGT version 14 years later is content to offer 36 hits penned by the popular songwriting team without any connecting story line. Each song is presented concert-style without reference to the artist who made it famous.
ASGT director/choreographer Jason Kimmel has gathered a cluster of stars whom he moves along, smoothly segueing through 40 sets with help from six capable onstage musicians led by pianist and music director Ken Kimble. Kimmel's choreography is bright and stylishly executed, and distinctive costumes are provided by Anya Nebel.
Despite the rain delays and ominous skies, the cast immediately connected with the audience in the opening "Neighborhood" number. Although he seemed a bit restrained in the second song, "Youngblood," Andre Hinds led the trio of Peter Crews, Vincent Musgrave and Nathan Bowen in some fancy footwork with superb dancer Lisa Renee Thomas as their featured partner. The early section sprang alive when supercharged Becca Vourvoulous soloed in "Falling," adding smooth dance moves to her lovely vocals.
After the rain delay, the pace picked up with several noteworthy selections, including Crews' amusing and imaginative "Shopping for Clothes" in which, as a shopper, he was joined by salesman Hinds and two moving, headless, splashy male mannequins.
Although we know Nathan Bowen from earlier ASGT productions of Forever Plaid and On the Town, here he brandished considerable star power with his mellow bass voice in "Searchin' " and "D.W. Washburn," while adding substance to the fine male quartet.
