Images: 
Total Rating: 
***
Previews: 
June 14, 2022
Opened: 
June 16, 2022
Ended: 
July 2, 2022
Country: 
USA
State: 
Florida
City: 
Sarasota
Company/Producers: 
Florida Studio Theater
Theater Type: 
Regional
Theater: 
Florida Studio Theater - Court Cabaret
Theater Address: 
First & Cocoanut Avenues
Phone: 
941-366-9000
Website: 
floridastudiotheatre.org
Running Time: 
75 min
Genre: 
Musical Revue
Author: 
Jared Mancuso & Nick Gallardo. Songs: various
Director: 
Catherine Randazzo
Review: 

From Tribute Extravaganza to Four Piece Band, the musicians and vocalists ending a national tour at Florida Studio Theater’s Court Cabaret revive Rock & Roll classics for its stalwart fans and bring “sizzle” to create new ones. The show’s creators take center stage, adding narration to performance. Flanked by bass player on one side; drummer on the other, they do spread “reignited” sound.

Jared Mancuso is first to add narrative, highlighting  early Rock classics, such as Buddy Holly’s hits “Rave On” and “It’s So Easy.” Nick Gallardo stresses acting out music and lyrics on songs like “Donna” and an indignant “Framed,” two of Richie Valens’s hits. The latter highlights Mike Gallardo’s drumming talent.  Jared’s more rolling than rocking on “Can’t Help Falling in Love.” an early Elvis Presley success. 

“Maybe Baby” and “Everyday” bring Nick and Jared back to Buddy Holly songs, where they mainly stay for Act I.  An exception is a sweet “Pretty Woman” that Roy Orbison made famous.  Strangely, little is done on that one to highlight the Band’s sole woman, Aurora DuBois. In fact, she takes the spotlight only once in each Act and that is using her double bass instrument each time in a pyramid formation.  She does, however, play and sing and look pretty throughout.

Act II brings all the players, having shed their informal dress, now in formal regalia in shades of red, except for Mike at piano in tux-like navy blue with white shirt. Beatles’ songs (particularly “I Saw Her Standing There") suggest their players’ era of beginning fame. “The Wanderer” recalls a now lesser0known Dion DiMucci. “Peggy Sue” represents rock & roll being a hit in a prominent movie.

The last fourth of reignitement has Nick playing his own father’s favorite, “We Belong Together” in a sentimental vein. With “Johnny Be Goode” Jared emulates Chuck Berry and holds his guitar up over the back of his head to play real Rock. “La Bamba” ignites Nick’s fire.  It leads to a big drum number by Michael emphasizing a “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Going On” that then leads to the show’s end.  “Great Balls of Fire” makes a very rocking return for encore and bows.

A major presentational good feature of Rock & Roll Reignited is the combining at FST of Bruce Price’s scenic design talents with those of lighting designer Andrew Gray in the truly elaborate and colorful backdrops for the Court Cabaret Stage.  There are not only many draped, lit colors but some are arranged in illustrative patterns, not forgetting characteristic twinkling lights on the frame or from within or atop the drapes. It’s the most elaborate scheme I’ve witnessed at either of FST’s cabarets and one that fits all the show’s musical movements and Thomas Korp’s sound design.

Cast: 
vocals & musicians: Jared Mancuso (Electric Guitar), Nick Gallardo (Electric Guitar), Mike Gallardo (Drums), Aurora DuBois (Double Bass)
Technical: 
Set:  Bruce Price; Lights: Andrew Gray; Sound: Thomas Korp; Sound & Light Operator: Jamie Thygesen 
Critic: 
Marie J. Kilker
Date Reviewed: 
June 2022