Total Rating: 
***
Opened: 
December 5, 2000
Ended: 
January 27, 2001
Country: 
USA
State: 
Florida
City: 
Sarasota
Company/Producers: 
Florida Studio Theater
Theater Type: 
Regional, Cabaret
Theater: 
Florida Studio Theater Cabaret Club
Theater Address: 
1241 North Palm Avenue
Phone: 
(941) 366-9000
Running Time: 
90 min
Genre: 
Musical Revue
Author: 
Developed by Florida Studio Theater; Lyrics: Johnny Mercer; Music: various composers.
Director: 
Richard Hopkins
Review: 

Johnny Mercer wrote at least 1,000 song lyrics and music for some more. What a task to represent his accomplishments in a brief revue! Maybe that's why there's so little spoken about him or them; his words, after all, are the important things. Thematically linked sets (Intro, Love, Vaudeville, Movie, Music Hall, Mature Love, Finale) mix lesser with well-known songs in By Mercer. "I'm Going Back to the Farm," done in cow get-ups, for example, leads into "Strip Polka." "Hurray for Hollywood" zip-a-dee-does lyrics for movies that are all hits but stylistically contrast (one point made by the show about Mercer's work): "In the Cool Cool Cool of the Evening," an applauded "Lazy Bones," and some novel, hearty harmonizing of "Blues in the Night."

Accompanied by Jim Prosser, who weaves Ole Black Magic on the piano, the singers are a vocally utilitarian but unusual looking group. (Think two Laurels, two very Hardys.) Barbara D. Mills begins shaking her considerable girth for laughs - a deplorable ploy - with "Goody Goody," but anyone who can also bring such authority to "Accentuate The Positive" deserves praise.

Steven Carter-Hicks draws attention to his size by declaring himself big as he looks. His voice doesn't seem powered by his girth, though it serves comedically, as with "Bon Vivant." Slim Heather Villaescusa for the most part is perky but applies a serious soprano to ballads. Standout Jim Weaver masters all his moves and sings with wonderful nuances. His circling the stage "Huggin' and Chalkin'" makes the vulgar funny, whereas his solo "Charade" is haunting.

An advantage of FST Cabaret developing its own work is that it can introduce topical changes. So the four recount "The Country's In The Very Best of Hands" as they hold up, examine, and pile up ballots. An audience-certified winner!

Cast: 
Steven Carter-Hicks, Barbara D. Mills, Heather Villaescusa, Jim Weaver
Technical: 
Musical Director: Michael Sebastian; Musical Staging: Jim Hoskins; Text: Jack Fournier; Sets, Costumes: Marcella Beckwith; Lighting/Tech Dir: David Suppe; Arranger/Piano: Jim Prosser; Prod. Stage Manager: Elizabeth Palmer
Other Critics: 
PELICAN PRESS Jean Reed +
Critic: 
Marie J. Kilker
Date Reviewed: 
December 2000