Photo credit: Michael Brosilow
The Milwaukee Repertory Theater’s The All Night Strut! turns the Stackner Cabaret stage into an old-fashioned club car with a fully stocked bar and oblong-shaped train windows topped by small, pleated drapes. It’s a fitting backdrop for a production that imaginatively blends songs from the 1930 and ’40s.
This tuneful tribute to the Greatest Generation features songs ranging from standards to novelty tunes, ballads, love songs and bebop hits. Some of the greatest songwriters of all time, such as Duke Ellington, Frank Loesser and the Gershwins, are represented. Highlights include the well-known opening number, “Chattanooga Choo-Choo” as well as “Minnie the Moocher,” “In the Mood” and “Ain’t Misbehavin’.”
This fast-paced, high energy show packs nearly two dozen songs into a performance that clocks in just shy of two hours. The All Night Strut! is just the ticket for those who want to rekindle memories of that era. Strut was conceived and originally directed and choreographed by Fran Charnas, with musical arrangements by Tom Fitt, Gil Lieb and Dick Schermesser, with additional orchestrations by Corey Allen. The current version is superbly directed by JC Clementz.
The show’s very busy musical director is Dan Kazemi. Not only do the actors sing and dance their way through the show, they also play a wide variety of musical instruments, including the piano, trombone, bass, guitar, drums, saxophone and banjo. In several musical numbers, the entire cast rotates between singing, dancing and playing several instruments. The talented cast includes Milwaukee favorite Kelley Faulkner, as well as newcomers such as Kenosha-born Katherine Thomas, Nygel D. Robinson and Brian Russell Carey. Jonathan Spivey rounds out the cast.
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Although this musical revue has no plot, it successfully creates a series of “characters” for each song. The first-act highlight, “Fascinatin’ Rhythm,” is a perfect example. Not only do the actors sing, they also manage to squeeze comedy sequences and tap dancing into this rousing number.
It’s not all fun and games onstage. Songs such as “Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?” evoke the difficult Depression years. Robinson is particularly impressive, with a rich baritone that conveys the song’s necessarily somber mood.
The All Night Strut! offers equal parts laughter, singing and movement, in a show that’s great for the whole family to enjoy.
Through Jan. 13 at the Stackner Cabaret, 108 E. Wells St. For tickets, visit milwaukeerep.com, call 414-224-9490 or visit the box office at 108 E. Wells St.
