Musicianship of the highest order distinguishes a cabaret revue devoted to songs of the ‘60s and ‘70s, mostly telling stories. Except for grounding by old pro Dom Cicco, the performers of Poems, Prayers and Promisesseem to be from late in the era or have listened to their young parents’ favorites. From soft country to soft rock came music that waded into the mainstream and lyrics that said what this revue title says.
The opening, “I’ll Fly Away,” gives the notion of sweeping into the experiences that are different from those of that song. But the sweep is real. Though heavily into the compositions of John Denver, the revue covers those of Simon and Garfinkel, Jim Croce, Harry Chapin, Joni Mitchell, Carol King, Dolly Parton.
Solos, duets and, above all, group ventures do justice to such narratives as “30,000 Pounds of Bananas” (featuring Joe Casey), “Coat of Many Colors” (donned by Sarah Hund), “Bad Bad Leroy Brown” (told by Dom Cicco), and “Mrs. Robinson” (longed for by Daniel Emond and Ben Mackel, who also liked “The Muppet Show”).
But the most distinguishing facet of the revue is the handling of numerous instruments by each of the performers: piano, keyboard, banjo, guitars, mandolin, tambourines, bongos. All seem to slip into various means and modes, performing with ease and gusto. They’re as deceptively casual as their “country” outfits.
Each performer displays a separate personality, detailing personal background (e.g., Sarah’s from Missouri; Dom feels like Sarasota’s home now), experiences and joshing about. Except for a few stories of the origins of some of the songs or quirks or intensions of the composers, there’s little scripted material. Same is true of “scenery”, though the draped background takes on variety from colored lighting that’s quite beautiful.
Whoever likes the music selected should love the way it’s treated at FST by the talented musicians at Goldstein Cabaret.
